On April 11, 2026, the political landscape in South Korea’s North Gyeongsang Province saw a dramatic shift as leading candidates for the upcoming provincial and local elections made strategic moves to signal unity and a renewed focus on citizen welfare. With the final primary for the People Power Party’s (국민의힘) gubernatorial nomination just a day away, candidates and their supporters converged in Pohang, a city still grappling with the aftereffects of a devastating earthquake nearly a decade ago.
At the heart of the day’s events was a meeting at the Pohang Yonggwangro (Blast Furnace) campaign camp, where 박용선, the People Power Party’s confirmed candidate for Pohang mayor, and 이철우, a leading contender for the North Gyeongsang governorship, declared their shared commitment to cooperation and regional unity. According to Global Economic, 이철우 expressed enthusiastic support for 박용선’s call for “대통합” (great unity), stating, “I strongly support the unity theory that candidate Park appealed for during the Pohang mayoral primary.” He went on to highlight the longstanding partnership between the two, remarking, “We have communicated for a long time for the development of North Gyeongsang, both as party members and as governor and provincial assembly member. If both of us are elected, the cooperative relationship between North Gyeongsang Province and Pohang City will change dramatically.”
박용선, for his part, did not mince words about the challenges facing the region. He pointed to the looming threat of 지방소멸, or local extinction—a term used in South Korea to describe the demographic and economic decline of non-metropolitan areas. “In the face of the great wave of local extinction, not only North Gyeongsang Province but also Pohang is facing a major crisis,” 박용선 warned, echoing concerns that have become increasingly common among local leaders. He pledged to set a new tone for city leadership, promising, “I will boldly let go of unnecessary mayoral privileges and take the lead in actively restoring relationships with North Gyeongsang Province, POSCO, the two National Assembly members, and local city and provincial council members.”
박용선’s candidacy was officially confirmed by the People Power Party’s Supreme Council on April 6, 2026, as reported by Global Economic. Since then, he has reached out to other primary candidates to offer consolation and has called for collective efforts under the party’s banner to overcome Pohang’s current crisis. “I am asking for united efforts so that the People Power Party can lead the era of great unity to overcome Pohang’s crisis,” 박용선 was quoted as saying, underscoring his vision for a broad coalition to address local challenges.
While unity and cooperation were the watchwords at 박용선’s camp, another major development was unfolding in the gubernatorial race. On the same day, 김재원, a prominent candidate for the North Gyeongsang governorship, announced the appointment of 모성은, the chairperson of the Pohang Earthquake Pan-Citizen Countermeasure Committee (포항지진범시민대책본부), as his campaign’s chief standing election committee chairperson. This move, reported by Viva100, is widely seen as a game-changer in the tightly contested election.
To understand the significance of 모성은’s appointment, it’s important to look back at the role of the Pohang Earthquake Pan-Citizen Countermeasure Committee. Formed on November 15, 2017, immediately after the Pohang earthquake, the committee has been a driving force in seeking justice and compensation for those affected. In February 2018, the group successfully filed for a provisional injunction to halt the operations of a local geothermal power plant, which was suspected of contributing to the disaster. Later that year, on October 15, the committee launched a landmark citizen lawsuit seeking compensation for earthquake damages.
The legal battle reached a milestone on November 16, 2023, when the Daegu District Court’s Pohang branch ruled in favor of the plaintiffs—a victory that energized the local community. The lawsuit subsequently expanded to include an astonishing 499,881 plaintiffs, with approximately 453,000 additional Pohang citizens joining the cause. This mass mobilization underscored the depth of local anger and the desire for accountability.
모성은, now a central figure in 김재원’s campaign, stated, “We will operate the governor’s campaign with the rights and interests of the provincial residents as the top priority.” Her leadership is credited with providing tangible support to earthquake victims and is seen as a testament to 김재원’s commitment to people-centered policies. According to Viva100, this appointment is expected to be a significant factor in the upcoming gubernatorial election, reflecting both the candidate’s priorities and the evolving demands of the electorate.
The developments in both the mayoral and gubernatorial races highlight a broader trend in North Gyeongsang politics: a shift toward inclusivity, transparency, and a renewed focus on local issues. With the specter of local extinction looming large, candidates are under increasing pressure to demonstrate not only their administrative abilities but also their willingness to break with old habits and build new coalitions.
For 박용선, this means actively reaching out to former rivals and pledging to dismantle unnecessary privileges, while for 김재원, it involves bringing in respected civic leaders like 모성은 to ensure that the voices of ordinary citizens are heard at the highest levels of government. Both approaches signal an understanding that the old ways of doing business—marked by insularity and political infighting—are no longer sufficient to meet the needs of a changing region.
Yet, the challenges are formidable. Pohang, in particular, remains haunted by the memory of the 2017 earthquake, and the scars—both physical and psychological—are still visible. The dispute over the geothermal plant, the protracted legal battles, and the slow pace of compensation have left many residents feeling neglected by both local and national authorities. The fact that nearly half a million people joined the lawsuit is a stark reminder of the scale of the crisis and the lingering mistrust toward officialdom.
Against this backdrop, the calls for unity and a new era of cooperation ring especially urgent. Whether these pledges will translate into concrete action remains to be seen, but the symbolism of candidates coming together—and of civic leaders being brought into the fold—has not gone unnoticed. As the election approaches, voters will be watching closely to see if these promises are kept and if the region’s leaders can chart a new course for North Gyeongsang and Pohang.
For now, the stage is set for a closely watched contest, with unity, citizen rights, and regional development at the forefront. The next few weeks will test whether these lofty ideals can withstand the pressures of politics—or whether they will fade, like so many campaign promises before them.