Cheongju voters again choose change, electing Lee Jang-seop mayor

Voters in Cheongju have opted for change once again, electing Lee Jang-seop of the Democratic Party as their new mayor. Lee secured 52.52% of the vote, defeating the incumbent, Lee Beom-seok of the People Power Party, who garnered 45.47%.

The election outcome reflects Cheongju's consistent pattern of not re-electing mayors for consecutive terms. Since the first local elections in 1995, no mayor has served more than one term. Only former mayor Han Beom-deok managed to win two terms, but not consecutively. This electoral history suggests a strong local preference for new leadership.

Despite Lee Beom-seok campaigning on the promise of achieving the "first consecutive term," the sentiment against re-election proved stronger. While pre-election polls showed a close race between Lee Jang-seop and Lee Beom-seok, the voters ultimately chose the challenger.

Lee Jang-seop, identified with the "86 generation" of student activists from the 1980s, has a background in democratization movements and served in various political roles, including as a senior administrative officer in the presidential office and vice governor of North Chungcheong Province. During his term as a National Assembly member, he focused on practical economic issues, contributing to projects like the 유치 of the Ochang Synchrotron Radiation Facility and the construction of the Chungcheong 광역철도망.

Lee pledged to attract five major high-tech corporate sites, develop a new city encompassing Osong, Oksan, and Ochang, and construct a monorail system. He also aims to build a high-performing local government in partnership with President Lee Jae-myung, stating, "This victory is the citizens' stern command to judge the forces of chaos and build a well-functioning local government as a team with President Lee Jae-myung."