2026 충청권 지방선거: 김영환 충북지사 컷오프의 배경과 파장

The People Power Party’s incumbent leaders in Daejeon, South Chungcheong and Sejong have each received the party’s uncontested nominations for the June 3 local elections, clarifying the ballot picture across the Chungcheong region.

By contrast, in North Chungcheong, incumbent Governor Kim Young-hwan was the lone sitting provincial chief from the party to be excluded from the candidate list, injecting uncertainty into that race.

On the 15th, the party’s nomination committee confirmed uncontested nominations for Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo and South Chungcheong Governor Kim Tae-heum.

Following last week’s uncontested nomination of Sejong Mayor Choi Min-ho, the incumbents of Daejeon, Sejong and South Chungcheong now all appear on the party’s slate.

The committee said it made its decisions after weighing each incumbent’s record, noting that Mayor Lee has advanced policies to develop Daejeon as a hub for advanced science and technology, while Governor Kim has delivered concrete results by strengthening Chungnam’s industrial base, attracting high-tech industry and pursuing balanced regional development.

By contrast, on the 16th the committee announced it had, for the first time among incumbent provincial leaders, removed North Chungcheong Governor Kim Young-hwan from consideration.

Committee chair Lee Jung-hyun said, "This decision is not about assessing one individual but about political change," adding that regions like North Chungcheong that serve as national centers need leaders who can embody a new era’s spirit, drive future industries and regional innovation with vision and capability, and decisively implement generational and political renewal.

Governor Kim, who was on external duties that morning, learned of his exclusion, canceled his afternoon engagements and returned to his office.

On Facebook he said, "I cannot accept the nomination committee’s decision," accusing the committee of undermining democratic principles and procedures and of discarding the will of North Chungcheong residents like trash.

He vowed, "From now on I will do everything I can to correct this wrong decision and to win," while also questioning the process that, he alleges, held interviews after preselecting a candidate.

Many observers believe the committee’s move was influenced by legal risks surrounding Governor Kim, who is under investigation over allegations he received envelopes containing cash. Attention now turns to whether he will forgo seeking re-election, request a review of the decision, or run as an independent.

Meanwhile, the committee said it will accept additional candidate registrations through the 17th and, if any apply, will promptly hold interviews. New challengers are expected to compete with already registered hopefuls such as former Daegu High Prosecutors’ Office chief Yoon Gap-geun, former national police chief Yoon Hee-geun and former Chungju Mayor Cho Gil-hyung.