A recount was conducted for the Tongyeong mayoral election in the 9th nationwide local elections held simultaneously (June 3 local elections), where the outcome hinged on a 44-vote margin, but the winner did not change.
The South Gyeongsang Provincial Election Commission announced on the 28th that it conducted a recount of the Tongyeong mayoral race and rechecked 69,693 ballots, finding that Democratic Party of Korea Mayor Kang Seok-ju received 33,626 votes and People Power Party former Mayor Cheon Yeong-ki received 33,588 votes, respectively. Kang's victory was confirmed again.
The gap between the two candidates narrowed from 44 votes to 38. Of the 1,030 invalid ballots previously recorded, six were recognized as votes for the former Mayor Cheon.
The recount included the petitioner, former Mayor Cheon, as well as representatives of Mayor Kang, observers, and election commission members. Observers on Cheon's side included Jeon Han-gil, a former Korean history lecturer who has claimed election fraud, and producer Lee Young-don.
Former Mayor Cheon previously claimed that "there is an error in the ballot sorting machine system itself during the counting and verification process, requiring a review," and filed an election petition seeking to nullify the victory. Under the Public Official Election Act, a candidate who disputes the validity of an election result must file an election petition within 14 days from the date the winner is certified.
Based on the recount results, the South Gyeongsang Provincial Election Commission will decide by the 18th of next month whether to grant the election petition filed by the former Mayor Cheon. The recount expense of 19.223 million won will be borne in full by the former Mayor Cheon, who filed the petition.