Palisades Park is one of the most densely populated Korean American enclaves in the U.S

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Palisades Park NJ, The political landscape in Palisades Park, New Jersey, is heating up as former allies prepare for a head-to-head battle. Councilman Suk “John” Min has officially announced he will challenge incumbent Mayor Chong “Paul” Kim in the upcoming June Democratic primary.

This face-off marks yet another chapter in the borough’s history of fiercely contested elections and shifts in local power.

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The Challenger’s Case: A Call for Transparency

Councilman Min, who joined the council following a high-profile legal battle over a vacancy in 2022, is running on a platform of restoring public trust. He claims the current administration has strayed from principled governance.

Min’s key campaign promises include:

• Transparent Financial Management: Demanding that all budgets be simplified and major expenditures explained to taxpayers in advance.

• Ending “Excuses”: Min criticized recent “administrative oversights” that he claims have led to financial burdens for residents.

• Resident-Centered Governance: A pledge to inform the public before major decisions are finalized, rather than after.

“This election is about choosing the standards by which Palisades Park will be governed,” Min stated. “I will not remain silent in the face of compromise without principles.”

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The Incumbent’s Defense: “Stay the Course”

Mayor Paul Kim, who also serves as the Chairman of the Democratic Committee, is standing his ground. Having unseated the borough’s first Korean American mayor in 2022, Kim is no stranger to primary battles.

Kim’s focus for reelection includes:

• Continuing Reforms: Kim argues that his administration has made significant improvements since 2023 and needs more time to complete his vision.

• The Budget Dispute: The Mayor has recently sparred with Min over a $775,000 emergency budget appropriation required to cover shortfalls in legal fees, trash removal, and court judgments.

• The Overdevelopment Issue: Kim has criticized Min’s recent abstentions on “builder’s remedy” (low-income housing) settlements, warning that failing to comply with court orders could actually lead to more unchecked development.

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Palisades Park: A Deeply Divided Political History

To understand this race, you have to look at the numbers and the history of this Bergen County hub. According to the 2020 Census, Palisades Park is one of the most densely populated Korean American enclaves in the U.S., with the community making up over 60% of its 21,000 residents.

The borough has seen a string of dramatic primary upsets:

• 2018: Councilman Chris Chung unseated long-time Mayor James Rotundo by just eight votes.

• 2022: Paul Kim defeated incumbent Chris Chung after Chung failed to receive the Democratic Committee’s endorsement.

• 2026: The cycle continues as Min challenges Kim, echoing the “insider vs. outsider” battles of years past.

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Important Dates for Voters

• March 2026: The Democratic Committee meets to choose their officially endorsed candidate.

• March 23, 2026: The deadline for candidates to file for the June primary.

• June 2026: Primary Election Day.

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