Choo Kyung-ho, the candidate from the People Power Party and a former Deputy Prime Minister, has won the Daegu mayoral election. In one of the most fiercely contested areas of the June 3 local elections, he successfully defended the "heart of conservatism" against the ruling party's challenges.
Choo entered the race late due to delays in the party's primary, initially trailing behind Democratic Party candidate Kim Boo-kyum in early polls. The election in Daegu, known for its strong conservative base, turned into an unprecedented close contest.
However, as the campaign progressed, the race tightened. Choo's daily appeals to "revive the Daegu economy and protect the heart of conservatism" resonated with voters.
Former President Park Geun-hye, often referred to as the "queen of elections," also provided significant support. She met with Choo at her residence in Daegu and campaigned with him at local markets, urging citizens to back his candidacy.
In his victory speech, Choo emphasized the urgent need to rebuild the Daegu economy. He stated, "The meaning of this election result is a stern command from the citizens to revive the collapsed Daegu economy and awaken its potential. I will respond with tangible results."
Choo pledged to prioritize economic recovery, stating, "From the moment I stepped into the race as a mayoral candidate, I promised to become an 'economic mayor.' The top priority of my administration will be the recovery of the Daegu economy. I will simultaneously promote the development of future industries, attract investment, and restore the livelihoods of citizens to make Daegu a place where money and people gather again."
Choo, an economic expert with a background in public administration, was born in Daegu and graduated from Kyeseong High School and Korea University with a degree in business administration. He also holds a master's degree in economics from the University of Oregon in the United States.
He entered public service after passing the 25th National Civil Service Examination and has held various key positions as an economic bureaucrat. He served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance in the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, earning a reputation for his exceptional work ethic and leadership, being regarded as the "most admired boss" within the ministry.
Choo entered the National Assembly in 2016 as a candidate for the then-Saenuri Party (now the People Power Party) in Daegu's Dalseong district and has since been re-elected three times, solidifying his local support. In May 2024, he was elected as the floor leader of the People Power Party, further expanding his influence within the party.
With this victory, Choo has successfully continued the legacy of conservative mayors in Daegu, which has consistently elected candidates from conservative parties since the first local elections in 1995, except for one instance when an independent candidate won.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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