South Korea's left-wing coalition agreed on May 15, 2024, to unify behind a single candidate for the Ulsan mayoral race [1].

The move aims to consolidate progressive votes to improve the chances of defeating conservative candidates in the upcoming local elections [1].

The agreement follows a rapid series of political maneuvers. The Jo-Guk Innovation Party first declared its support for Kim Sang-uk, the candidate for the Democratic Party, and withdrew from the race [3]. One day later, the Democratic Party and the Progressive Party signed a formal unification agreement [3].

Kim Sang-uk, the Democratic Party candidate, said the agreement is not simply about merging parties [2]. Kim Jong-hoon, the Progressive Party candidate, said he was given a mission and task to ensure victory for the citizens [2].

The unification comes as the deadline for candidate registration hit on May 15, 2024 [2]. The final local elections are scheduled for June 3, 2024 [1].

To determine the final unified candidate, the parties will utilize a 100% poll primary, with a selection deadline of June 21, 2024 [1]. Additionally, the deadline for printing ballot papers, which allows for a "withdrawal" notation, is set for June 17, 2024 [1].

While the progressive bloc has found common ground in Ulsan, other battlegrounds remain contested. Negotiations in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, and Busan’s Buk-gu district have not yet reached similar agreements [1].

“"Simply merging parties is not the goal."”

The unification in Ulsan reflects a broader strategic effort by South Korea's fragmented left-wing parties to avoid vote-splitting. By coordinating candidate withdrawals and utilizing poll-based primaries, the coalition seeks to create a viable alternative to conservative dominance in key regional hubs, though the lack of agreement in Pyeongtaek and Busan suggests that local party interests still outweigh national coalition goals in some districts.