Chun Jae-soo wins Busan mayorship as DPK retakes conservative stronghold after 8 years

Chun Jae-soo, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea candidate for mayor of Busan, speaks with the press at his campaign office, Thursday, after his victory in the local elections becomes certain. Yonhap

Chun Jae-soo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) won the Busan mayoral race in the local elections Wednesday, riding a wave of the party's sweeping nationwide victory that reflected voters' support for the Lee Jae Myung administration.

Chun secured 50.56 percent of the vote, compared with 47.87 percent for incumbent Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP).

Chun's victory marks the DPK's return to power in Busan, a conservative stronghold, for the first time in eight years.

In his victory speech, Chun pledged to honor voters' call for change and work tirelessly on their behalf.

“I will humbly accept the choice made by citizens for change and devote myself to working hard,” he said. “I will become the mayor that citizens want. I will prove myself through achievements and results, not words.”

Chun also extended thanks to the PPP contender. “I would like to tell candidate Park Heong-joon, who competed with me for Busan's future, that he worked very hard.”

A three-term lawmaker and former minister of oceans and fisheries, Chun made his first bid for the Busan mayorship in this year's local elections.

Throughout the campaign, he promoted his vision of transforming Busan into a premier maritime capital and emphasized the need for a "strong mayor" who could work closely with both the central government and the ruling party.