In the 9th nationwide local elections, Jeonbuk saw its first nine-term basic-level local councilor.

According to the ballot count by the National Election Commission on the 4th, Kim Seung-beom (72), who ran as an independent in Jeongeup City Council’s ‘Ra’ electoral district, was elected, setting a record as Jeonbuk’s first nine-term basic-level local councilor.

Since first entering the Jeongeup City Council in the first nationwide local elections in 1995, he has been elected in every race through this 9th election without a single defeat.

Born in 1953 in Chilbo-myeon, Jeongeup, he graduated from Baegam Elementary School, Chilbo Middle School, the Broadcasting and Communications High School attached to Jeonju High School, and Byeokseong College. Continuing his legislative activities since the early days of the launch of local councils, he set a new record for the most terms among basic-level local councilors in Jeonbuk.

His political career demonstrates the solidity of his local base. From the 1st through the 5th local elections, he was elected five times in a row as an independent; in the 6th local elections he won as a member of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, and in the 7th as a member of the Party for Democracy and Peace. He then ran again as an independent and won in both the 8th and 9th local elections.

Although his party affiliation changed multiple times, support from local residents did not waver.

Kim said, “Thanks to the enthusiastic support and generous love you, the residents, have given me, I have been honored with the chance to work for our hometown again,” adding, “I will always remain humble as at the beginning, communicate at residents’ eye level, and be a city councilor who works on the ground.”