Daegu mayoral race: Kim Boo-kyum 49.1% vs. Choo Kyung-ho 49.9% in a tight race, exit polls from three broadcasters

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[Financial News] The June 3 local elections for Mayor of Daegu in Daegu, often called the conservative heartland, are shaping up as an unusually close race. Daegu has long been a stronghold for conservative parties, with their candidates typically winning by wide margins. This time, however, Kim Boo-kyum of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is projected to be in a dead heat with Choo Kyung-ho of the People Power Party.
\r\nAccording to exit polls released on the 3rd by the three terrestrial broadcasters, KBS, MBC, and SBS, Kim is projected to win 49.1% of the vote, while Choo is expected to take 49.9%. Choo was ahead by 0.8 percentage points.
\r\nBy contrast, the JTBC exit poll showed Kim slightly ahead. It projected Kim at 49.7% and Choo at 49.2%. As the race remained within the margin of error, cheers broke out at Kim's campaign office, while applause was heard at Choo's office as well.
\r\nAfter the results were announced, Kim said, "This is my 10th election, but I have never experienced one this intense," adding, "I think it reflects the desire of Daegu residents for change."
\r\nChoo explained, "The result turned out to be an extremely close race, just as we had expected," and added, "Counting has not started yet, so I will wait for the results and then comment."
\r\nThe People Power Party Central Election Countermeasures Committee attributed the tight race to internal nomination disputes. Song Eon-seok, Co-Chair of the Election Campaign Committee, said in a KBS interview, "The nomination process was not smooth and took a long time, which seems to have caused inconvenience for citizens. I apologize for that." He added, "I cautiously predict that our party will ultimately win."
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haeram@fnnews.com Lee Hae-ram Reporter