Choo Kyung-ho

Choo Kyung-ho (, born 29 July 1960) is a South Korean politician who has served as the mayor of Daegu since 2026. A member of the People Power Party, he served as the deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance from 2022 to 2023 under President Yoon Suk Yeol. Choo has also been the member of the National Assembly for Dalseong since 2016.

Before entering to the National Assembly, he served as the 1st Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, as well as the Minister for Government Policy Coordination under the President Park Geun-hye, and the Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Commission under the Lee Myung-bak government. During his tenure in the Yoon administraion, Choo was briefly the acting prime minister of South Korea from 12 May to 20 May 2022.

Personal life and education Choo was born in Dalseong, North Gyeongsang (now under Daegu) and attended Keisung High School. He was educated at Korea University, where he completed Bachelor in Business Administration.

Prior to the 2016 election, Choo joined the Saenuri Party, along with Chong Jong-sup, who was also the Cabinet member under the President Park. He contested for Dalseong and was elected. He became the Director of The Yeouido Institute in March 2017, shortly after the impeachment of Park Geun-hye. He was re-elected in 2020.

Following the 2022 presidential election, President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol nominated him as the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy and Finance. He resigned from the position in December amidst the first impeachment vote against Yoon, stating that he would take responsibility for "the third presidential impeachment vote in [South Korea's] constitutional history".

In the 2026 South Korean local elections, Choo was elected as the Mayor of Daegu, defeating Democratic Party nominee Kim Boo-kyum. Though most pre-election polls had shown the race within a razor-thin margin, Choo ultimately secured 53.92 percent of the vote against Kim's 45.05 percent. In his victory speech, Choo stated, "I will respect not only those who supported me but also those who chose another candidate, as I seek to bring everyone together and devote all my efforts to the development of Daegu."

Other activities International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (since 2022)

Election results General elections Year Elections Constituency Political party Votes (%) Remarks 2016 20th National Assembly General Election Dalseong (Daegu) Saenuri 40,355 (48.07%) Won 2020 21st National Assembly General Election Dalseong (Daegu) UFP 88,846 (67.33%) Won 2024 22nd National Assembly General Election Dalseong (Daegu) PPP 100,544 (75.31%) Won

Local elections Mayor of Daegu Year Elections Constituency Political party Votes (%) Remarks 2026 9th Iocal Election Daegu(Mayoral Elections) PPP 702,421 (53.92%) Won