DAEGU, South Korea — The Daegu mayoral election, considered one of the most critical contests in the local elections, is drawing national attention as exit polls indicate an extremely close race. Both the joint exit poll by three major broadcasters (KBS, MBC, SBS) and a prediction survey by JTBC show candidates Choo Kyung-ho of the People Power Party and Kim Boo-kyum of the Democratic Party nearly tied, leaving the final outcome uncertain until the votes are counted.
According to the joint exit poll, Choo received 49.9% of the vote, while Kim garnered 49.1%, resulting in a narrow margin of just 0.8 percentage points. Given the margin of error, predicting a winner is virtually impossible.
JTBC's prediction survey yielded similar results, with Kim at 49.7% and Choo at 49.2%. JTBC classified the Daegu mayoral race as a competitive area and refrained from declaring a frontrunner.
Interestingly, the leading candidate varied depending on the polling agency. While the three broadcasters indicated Choo was slightly ahead, JTBC suggested Kim had a slight advantage. Ultimately, both surveys concluded that it is impossible to declare a winner at this stage.
The significance of the Daegu mayoral election extends beyond its competitiveness. Daegu has long been regarded as a stronghold for conservative parties, with the People Power Party historically dominating local elections. The fact that a Democratic Party candidate is in a virtual tie at the exit poll stage is seen as a symbolic moment for this election.
Kim Boo-kyum has previously demonstrated the potential for Democratic Party politics in Daegu by winning a parliamentary seat in the Suseong District. In contrast, Choo Kyung-ho, a former Deputy Prime Minister, has rallied conservative support as he campaigns in the region. Throughout the election, both candidates have focused on promises to revitalize the local economy and enhance industrial competitiveness, aiming to attract moderate voters.
Political analysts believe the outcome of this election could have implications beyond a typical local government race. If Choo wins, it would symbolize the People Power Party's retention of its conservative base. Conversely, a victory for Kim could signal significant changes in the political landscape of Daegu.
Combining the results from the three broadcasters and JTBC, the Daegu mayoral election is considered the most unpredictable among the 17 regional mayoral elections nationwide. Unlike major areas such as Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon, and Busan, where the Democratic Party shows a clearer advantage, Daegu remains uncertain until the very end.
As the vote counting begins, attention is focused on key districts such as Suseong, Dalseo, and Bukgu. The level of support from traditional conservative voters, along with the choices of moderate and undecided voters, are expected to be crucial factors in determining the final outcome.
Based on the exit polls so far, both candidates can claim a potential victory, making the Daegu mayoral election one of the most dramatic contests in this local election cycle.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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