Busan's Buk-A by-election showing neck-and-neck race between ex-AI presidential chief, ex-PPP leader

Ha Jung-woo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and independent candidate Han Dong-hoon are locked in a neck-and-neck race in the parliamentary by-election for Busan's Buk-A constituency, according to an exit poll released 6 p.m. Wednesday by the country's three major broadcasters. In the joint exit poll conducted by KBS, MBC and SBS, Ha held a narrow lead with 42.6 percent of the vote, while Han garnered 41.6 percent, within the margin of error. Park Min-shik of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) gained 15.8 percent. The constituency emerged as one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the parliamentary by-elections, which were held alongside the local elections, seen as a duel between Han and Ha that could play a role in shaping the country’s political landscape. Ha was the inaugural senior presidential secretary for artificial intelligence (AI) and future planning. While overseeing the Lee Jae Myung administration's AI strategy, the Busan native joined the DPK's race following repeated calls by the party's leadership, which sought to recruit professionals