Seoul: The ruling Democratic Party (DP) achieved a decisive victory in the recent local and parliamentary by-elections, capturing key positions in the traditional conservative stronghold of Busan. Meanwhile, the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) successfully maintained control over the Seoul mayoral seat.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the DP secured 12 out of 16 significant mayoral and gubernatorial positions, including a notable win in Busan with Jeon Jae-soo elected as mayor. The PPP, on the other hand, managed to win four seats, including Seoul, where incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon was re-elected for a fifth term. The parliamentary by-elections, held alongside the local elections, saw the DP winning nine out of 14 seats, with the PPP claiming four and an independent candidate taking the remaining seat.
Although the ruling party lost four previously held parliamentary seats, this was perceived as a minor setback considering its existing majority in the 300-member National Assembly. The elections took place precisely one year after the Lee administration assumed office on June 4.
The election results are anticipated to strengthen the government's mandate to advance its reform agenda while posing a challenge to the PPP, which continues to grapple with rebuilding conservative support following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's removal from office. This electoral outcome marked a significant shift in voter sentiment compared to four years ago, when the then-ruling PPP secured 12 out of 17 major gubernatorial and mayoral positions in the local elections held a month after Yoon's inauguration.
In Gyeonggi Province, DP veteran lawmaker Choo Mi-ae achieved a significant milestone by becoming the country's first female head of a provincial government, defeating the PPP's Yang Hyang-ja by a wide margin. The capital region, encompassing nearly half of the nation's population, remains a crucial political battleground.
In Busan, DP candidate Jeon narrowly defeated the PPP's Park Heong-joon, securing the mayoralty in a closely contested race. The parliamentary by-election results revealed contrasting political outcomes for two prominent figures - former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon and Cho Kuk, leader of the liberal Rebuilding Korea Party. Han, running as an independent, successfully secured a seat in the National Assembly, whereas Cho narrowly lost to Yu Eui-dong of the PPP in the Pyeongtaek-B constituency, amidst a fierce three-way competition with Kim Yong-nam of the DP.
These elections were seen as a pivotal nationwide test for President Lee, who assumed office following a snap presidential election after Yoon's ouster over a failed martial law attempt in December 2024. During its election campaign, the DP urged the electorate to decisively reject what it described as the remnants of Yoon's "insurrectionist forces." Yoon was sentenced to life imprisonment in February for his attempted martial law bid.
In addition to mayoral and gubernatorial seats, the local elections also included 16 education superintendent positions, 227 local government heads, and approximately 4,000 local council members.