Kim Sang-wook, a member of the Democratic Party, confirmed during a radio interview that he is preparing to run for mayor of Ulsan and plans to officially announce his position next week. He emphasized Ulsan as his political hometown and acknowledged the challenges he faces in a region where the opposition party, the People’s Power, currently holds significant influence. Despite the difficulties, he has received considerable support from the citizens.

Currently, Kim is one of several candidates being discussed for the Ulsan mayoral race, including the incumbent Kim Doo-kyum from the People’s Power and former mayors and party officials. Kim previously switched from the People’s Power to the Democratic Party after voting in favor of the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, which has influenced his political image and support base in Ulsan. He recently applied for candidacy qualification with the Democratic Party, signaling his intent to actively participate in the upcoming local elections.

A recent poll conducted by UbC Ulsan Broadcasting revealed that in a hypothetical multi-candidate race, the current mayor Kim Doo-kyum leads with 37.6% support, while Kim Sang-wook trails with 22.3%. However, in a head-to-head matchup, the results are much closer, with the incumbent at 43.5% and Kim Sang-wook at 41.3%, indicating a potentially competitive race ahead. The survey included a sample size of 1,003 residents aged 18 and older and carried a margin of error of ±3.1%, showcasing the electoral dynamics in Ulsan.