Recount confirms Democratic Party's Kang Seok-ju as Tongyeong mayor

A recount has reaffirmed Kang Seok-ju, a candidate from the Democratic Party, as the duly elected mayor of Tongyeong. The process, conducted by the Gyeongsangnam-do Election Commission, confirmed Kang's victory after reviewing ballots from the June 3 local elections. The margin of victory was confirmed to be 38 votes, a slight reduction from the initial 44-vote difference.

Kang Seok-ju secured 33,626 votes, while his opponent, Cheon Young-ki of the People Power Party, received 33,588 votes. A third candidate, Park Cheong-jeong, garnered 1,455 votes. A total of 1,024 ballots were deemed invalid. The close result made the Tongyeong mayoral race the tightest among all local government head elections nationwide.

Cheon Young-ki had filed a petition for a full recount, citing serious errors in the ballot sorting system. However, the recount process faced delays and objections from Cheon's side. They raised concerns about the absence of CCTV surveillance in ballot storage locations and the refusal to allow video recording of the recount itself. Cheon's camp also pointed to the allegedly loose sealing of ballot boxes.

Despite these objections, the Gyeongsangnam-do Election Commission proceeded with the recount, involving election officials and observers from both sides. While observers from Cheon's side raised questions about certain ballots, the commission maintained that the ballot box seals were intact. The commission is expected to make a final decision on Cheon's petition by August 18. Cheon can pursue legal action if he disputes the commission's decision.