The ruling Saenuri Party’s metropolitan and provincial chief candidates are on average worth more than double their counterparts from the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy, the election watchdog’s data show.
According to the National Election Commission, ruling party candidates for the 17 metropolitan and provincial chiefs’ posts, excluding Seoul mayoral hopeful Chung Mong-joon, have an average wealth of 2.55 billion won ($1.82 million).
Chung is the largest shareholder of the shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. and his net value stands at over 2 trillion won.
In comparison, the figure for NPAD candidates came in at just over 1 billion won, while those for minor opposition Unified Progressive Party and the Justice Party came in at 198 million won and 204 million won, respectively.
