▲ This pool photo, taken May 20, 2026, shows Kim Sang-wook (L), the ruling Democratic Party's candidate for Ulsan mayor, posing with Kim Jong-hoon, his rival from the minor Progressive Party, after the two agreed to hold a primary to select a unified candidate for the southeastern industrial city. (Yonhap)

ruling party-Ulsan mayoral race

Ruling party candidate suspends Ulsan mayoral primary over flawed poll claims

ULSAN, May 24 (Yonhap) -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) candidate for Ulsan mayor said Sunday he would suspend his participation in a primary with a minor party rival meant to choose a unified contender, just days before crucial elections widely seen as a political bellwether for President Lee Jae Myung.

Rep. Kim Sang-wook of the DP, who is running for mayor of the southeastern industrial city home to Hyundai Motor, had agreed with Kim Jong-hoon of the minor Progressive Party to select a unified candidate through a primary.

"We have learned that the poll showed highly irregular patterns beyond what would normally be expected, with signs suggesting possible organized intervention by a certain group," Kim said in a statement.

"We have concluded that it is no longer possible to proceed with the primary under the current method, as it could lead to an undemocratic situation where voters' rights could be undermined by manipulation by a certain group," he said of the two-day opinion poll that was set to end on Sunday.

Still, Kim said he would continue to hold talks with the Progressive Party on selecting a single candidate, noting his suspension was not intended to abandon or reject a unified candidacy.

The Progressive Party immediately rejected the allegations, accusing Kim's camp of unilaterally suspending the primary process and insisting that the opinion poll was conducted in accordance with its agreement with the DP.

"We have found no unusual factors," the party said, adding that it had never been informed by Kim's camp of any details regarding the alleged flaws in the opinion poll.

The June 3 elections are widely considered the first major nationwide test for the Lee Jae Myung administration since it took office last June following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's ouster over his failed martial law bid.

The DP, which currently controls a majority in the National Assembly, is seeking to clinch victories on the back of Lee's high approval ratings.

The elections include races for 16 metropolitan mayors and provincial governors, as well as 227 lower-level administrative chief posts.

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