A Total of 89 Alumni Elected, Including 20 Metropolitan and Local Government Heads and 1 Superintendent of Education

YU Produces 17 Local Government Heads in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, Demonstrating Overwhelming Influence and Competitiveness

Following the Election of 13 National Assembly Members in the 22nd General Election, YU Alumni Once Again Showcase Their Political Strength

[June 22, 2026]

 At 6 p.m. on June 18, the YU General Alumni Association (President JUNG Tae-il) and YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) jointly hosted a congratulatory reception at Daegu Grand Hotel to celebrate alumni elected in the 9th Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections. The event honored the 89 YU alumni who earned the trust and support of voters in this year’s elections.

 YU alumni, who are making significant contributions across diverse sectors of Korean society, secured victories in a wide range of positions, including metropolitan and local government heads, superintendent of education, metropolitan council members, and local council members, further establishing themselves as key leaders shaping the nation’s future.

 By category, the elected alumni include 3 metropolitan government heads, 1 superintendent of education, 17 local government heads (8 in Daegu and 9 in Gyeongbuk), 23 metropolitan council members (9 in Daegu and 14 in Gyeongbuk), and 45 local council members (18 in Daegu, 20 in Gyeongbuk, 1 in Ulsan, 1 in Gyeonggi, 1 in Gyeongnam, and 4 proportional representatives). The results demonstrate that YU graduates have continued to play pivotal roles in regional and national development across a broad range of fields.

 Among the winners, alumnus LEE Cheol-woo (Graduate School of Business Administration Advanced Management Program, hereinafter called 'AMP') secured a third term as Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, laying a stable foundation for regional development. Alumnus CHU Kyung-ho (AMP) was elected Mayor of Daegu Metropolitan City, while alumna CHOO Mi-ae (AMP) won the race for Governor of Gyeonggi-do, the nation’s largest provincial government. Alumna KANG Eun-hee (AMP) was re-elected for a third term as Superintendent of Education for Daegu, reaffirming her leadership in educational administration. 

 In particular, YU alumni achieved remarkable success in the elections for local government heads in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region. In Daegu, 8 of the 9 elected district and county heads are YU graduates, once again demonstrating the University's strong influence and competitiveness throughout the region. In Gyeongbuk, 9 YU alumni were elected as local government heads, further solidifying the University's role as a driving force in local governance. 

 The elected local government heads include RYU Gyu-ha, Mayor of Jung-gu (Pharmacy, Class of '75); WOO Seong-jin, Mayor of Dong-gu (Ph.D., Graduate School); KWON Oh-sang, Mayor of Seo-gu (Political Science and Diplomacy, Class of '85); CHO Jae-gu, Mayor of Nam-gu (MBA); LEE Geun-su, Mayor of Buk-gu (Public Administration, Class of '84); KIM Dae-kwon, Mayor of Suseong-gu (AMP); KIM Yong-pan, Mayor of Dalseo-gu (Economics, Class of '78); and KIM Jin-yeol, County Governor of Gunwi-gun (Animal Science, Class of '78) in Daegu. In Gyeongbuk, the elected alumni include NAM Han-kwon, County Governor of Ulleung-gun (Advanced Executive Program); BAE Nak-ho, Mayor of Gimcheon (Master’s Program, Graduate School of Public Administration); KWON Ki-chang, Mayor of Andong (Ph.D., Graduate School); KIM Byeong-sam, Mayor of Yeongcheon (Economics, Class of '86); KIM Hak-hong, Mayor of Mungyeong (Advanced Policy Leadership Program, Graduate School of Public Administration); CHO Hyun-il, Mayor of Gyeongsan (MBA); PARK Kwon-hyun, County Governor of Cheongdo-gun (Master’s Program, Graduate School of Public Administration); LEE Nam-cheol, County Governor of Goryeong-gun (Master’s Program, Graduate School of Public Administration); and JEON Hwa-sik, County Governor of Seongju-gun (Community Development, Class of '77).

 Approximately 300 guests attended the celebration held on June 18, including JUNG Tae-il, President of the YU General Alumni Association; HAN Jae-sook, Chairperson of the Yeungnam School Corporation; CHOI Oe-chool, President of YU; National Assembly members KIM Seok-ki and LEE In-sun; as well as numerous YU alumni and prominent figures from political and business circles. Congratulatory plaques and commemorative gifts were presented to the elected alumni.

 In his congratulatory remarks, President JUNG Tae-il said, “I sincerely congratulate all alumni who have earned the trust of voters and are now entrusted with leading the future of their communities and our nation. This election once again demonstrates the strength and pride of YU alumni.” He continued, “Your victories are not only personal achievements but also a source of pride for YU and its 300,000 alumni worldwide. I hope you will fulfill your public responsibilities with integrity and inclusive leadership worthy of the trust placed in you by local residents. The Alumni Association will continue to serve as a strong network supporting your policies and visions so they can take root in local communities.”

 During the event, President JUNG also introduced a series of AI-generated questions and answers highlighting YU’s recent achievements, which received enthusiastic responses from attendees. He praised the University’s accomplishments, including ranking first among private universities nationwide in government and local government financial support projects in 2025, achieving a 100 percent freshman enrollment rate for two consecutive years, and President CHOI Oe-chool being ranked fourth globally in the Visionary Leadership category of the 2026 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI).

 Chairperson HAN Jae-sook remarked, “The achievements of the 89 elected alumni are meaningful accomplishments that elevate not only your personal reputations but also the prestige and standing of YU and its alumni community. I deeply respect your dedication and capabilities, which have earned the trust of the people.” She added, “I hope your new journeys will contribute to regional development and improve the quality of life for citizens. The unwavering support and affection of our alumni have been the driving force behind YU’s growth, and the University will continue striving to become a globally renowned institution worthy of that support.”

 In his congratulatory speech, President CHOI Oe-chool said, “This election has once again demonstrated YU’s enduring strength in producing leaders who have played pivotal roles in Korea’s transformation from one of the world’s poorest nations into an advanced country.” I hope our alumni, chosen through the trust of the people, will continue to grow into leaders who guide Korea toward an even more dignified and advanced future.” He continued, “As the era of AI and rapid technological change unfolds, the role of universities has become more important than ever. Building on our accumulated human and institutional strengths, YU will continue to nurture global talent that contributes to regional communities, the nation, and ultimately the prosperity of humankind.” President CHOI concluded, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to President JUNG Tae-il for his outstanding leadership of the Alumni Association under the motto, ‘A Vibrant Alumni Association, A Prestigious Alma Mater.’ I ask for the continued support and encouragement of our alumni. YU will remain committed to nurturing talent that fulfills its responsibilities to the times.”

 Previously, YU produced 13 members of the National Assembly in the 22nd National Assembly elections held in 2024. In the 2022 local elections as well, the University produced 1 metropolitan government head, 16 local government heads, and 1 superintendent of education, continuing to demonstrate the remarkable influence and strength of its alumni network in Korean politics.