Seoul: Official campaigning for the June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections is set to kick off this Thursday, with the election watchdog confirming the schedule on Monday. The National Election Commission announced that the 13-day campaign period will begin on Thursday and extend until the day before the elections, restricting early electioneering activities.
According to Yonhap News Agency, during the official campaigning period, candidates and their teams will be permitted to engage in public speeches from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., distribute campaign materials, and display campaign banners. A total of 7,829 candidates have registered for the elections. This includes 54 candidates contesting for 16 metropolitan mayoral and provincial governor positions and 585 candidates vying for 227 heads of lower-level administrative units. Additionally, 804 seats in provincial and metropolitan councils and 2,650 in lower-level local councils are up for election.
This year's elections have garnered significant attention due to the 14 National Assembly seats contested in parliamentary by-elections. Notably, the Busan Buk-A constituency is witnessing a high-profile race where former People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon is running as an independent. Han squares off against Ha Jung-woo from the ruling Democratic Party (DP), a former presidential secretary for AI policy, and ex-PPP lawmaker Park Min-shik.
The race in Busan's Buk-A constituency is particularly crucial as it is the only district among the city's 18 constituencies previously won by the DP in the last general elections. This makes it a pivotal battleground for both liberal and conservative forces. Another significant contest is in Pyeongtaek-B, where Cho Kuk of the Rebuilding Korea Party will challenge Kim Yong-nam of the DP, Yu Eui-dong of the PPP, former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn of the Freedom and Innovation Party, and Kim Jae-yeon of the Jinbo Party.
The political landscape is closely watching Han and Cho, both considered potential presidential candidates. A decisive victory for the ruling party in these elections could bolster President Lee's administration, facilitating the advancement of key policies and reinforcing the DP's legislative agenda. The DP, with its majority in the National Assembly, aims to capitalize on President Lee's high approval ratings.
Conversely, the PPP is striving to consolidate support from conservative voters to rejuvenate the conservative bloc following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024. Early voting for the elections is scheduled for May 29 and 30.