Politics · South Korea · 3 hrs ago
Busan’s Nakdong River Belt remains unpredictable ahead of 2028 election
South Korea’s Democratic Party is targeting Busan ahead of the 2028 general election.
The Nakdong River Belt covers the districts of Buk, Sasang, Saha and Gangseo, where progressive candidates have sometimes performed well despite Busan’s conservative lean.
The area has a history of Democratic Party representation, and all four local government heads in western Busan won by the party in the latest local elections.
But in the 2024 general election, the party lost every Busan constituency except Buk-gu Gap, and it also lost a later by-election there.
Buk-gu’s two constituencies are due to merge because of population decline, setting up competition among potential candidates from both parties.
In Saha-eul, lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae’s party status could reshape the race, while contests are also expected in Saha-gap, Sasang and Gangseo.
Candidate choices and constituency changes mean the 2028 outcome remains uncertain.
Busan’s Nakdong River Belt is expected to be a major battleground in the 2028 general election, but its political direction remains uncertain.
The Democratic Party is focusing on the area, where it has historically had stronger support than elsewhere in conservative-leaning Busan.
The People Power Party won every Busan district in the 2024 general election except Buk-gu Gap.
Buk-gu’s two districts are due to be merged before the 2028 election, setting up competition over nominations.
The race in Saha-gu Eul could shift depending on whether People Power Party lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae leaves the party.
- Who
- The Democratic Party and the People Power Party, along with potential candidates in Busan’s Nakdong River Belt.
- What
- The area’s political outlook ahead of the 2028 general election remains uncertain.
- When
- The next general election is in 2028.
- Where
- Buk-gu, Sasang-gu, Saha-gu and Gangseo-gu in Busan, South Korea.
- Why
- The area is a key target for the Democratic Party, but election results, district changes and candidate decisions could affect the contest.
Democratic Party
People Power Party
Electoral prospects
Democratic Party
The party is targeting the Nakdong River Belt, where it has had relative strength in Busan.
People Power Party
The party won all Busan districts in the 2024 general election except Buk-gu Gap.
Candidate competition
Democratic Party
Democratic candidates are preparing to contest seats across the belt, including in the merged Buk-gu district.
People Power Party
People Power candidates are also competing for support, with contests expected across the belt.
The Democratic Party lost every Busan district except Buk-gu Gap.
Democratic candidates won the heads of all four local governments in the western Busan Nakdong River Belt.
The Democratic Party leadership held a budget policy consultation meeting at Busan City Hall.
Kim Min-seok said Busan and the Nakdong River would be the main battlefield in the 2028 general election.
The party held a leadership meeting at its Busan branch as Kim began a three-day visit to the city.
- Next general election
- 2028
- District change
- Buk-gu Gap and Buk-gu Eul are due to be merged
- 2024 election result
- The Democratic Party won only Buk-gu Gap among Busan’s districts
- Nakdong River Belt
- Buk-gu, Sasang-gu, Saha-gu and Gangseo-gu
- Possible Saha-gu Eul factor
- Cho Kyung-tae’s party status and future candidacy
1 source
What people are saying
The main battlefield of the 2028 general election will be Busan, and it will be the Nakdong River.