South Korea Local Elections: Ruling Democratic Party Wins 12 Regions, but Loss of Seoul Called 'Tarnished Victory'
In South Korea's local elections, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea won 12 out of 17 regional races, while the People Power Party won 4. Despite the landslide, the Democratic Party's failure to win the Seoul mayoral race has led to it being described as a 'tarnished victory'.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 12:18
- 🔍 Collected: June 4, 2026 at 12:32 (14 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 6, 2026 at 16:13 (51h 40m after Collected)
(CNA Reporter Yang Qifang, Seoul, 4th) The results of South Korea's local elections are all in. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea won in 12 regions, while the People Power Party won only 4, avenging its crushing defeat in the previous election. However, the Democratic Party's failure to capture the Seoul mayoral seat has led to the result being evaluated as a 'tarnished victory'.
The Democratic Party of Korea won 12 regions in this local election: South Jeolla (Gwangju), Busan, Incheon, Daejeon, Ulsan, Sejong, Gyeonggi Province, Gangwon Province, North Chungcheong Province, South Chungcheong Province, North Jeolla Province, and Jeju. The People Power Party secured the key battleground of Seoul, along with its stronghold Daegu, North Gyeongsang Province, and South Gyeongsang Province, for a total of 4 regions.
Due to President Lee Jae-myung's high approval ratings and the aftermath of the martial law controversy, the Democratic Party was widely expected to win before the election. According to Yonhap News, the ruling party, already holding legislative and executive power, has now also gained control of local governments, avenging its 15-to-2 defeat by the People Power Party in 2022. However, the loss of the Seoul mayoral seat means it cannot claim a complete victory.
Heo Jin-jae, director of Gallup Korea's polling division, previously analyzed the election situation at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club. He noted that in the previous two local elections, when the president's approval rating was high, the ruling party tended to win more local government seats. He also mentioned that since this local election was held one year after the president took office, it naturally serves as a report card for his first year in power.
However, Heo also said, 'What truly matters is not whether the Democratic Party will win, but to what extent it wins, and whether that is enough to be considered a true victory.' He pointed out that even if the Democratic Party wins in many regions, failing to capture Seoul or Busan would leave some regret. In this election, the Democratic Party successfully recaptured Busan but failed in the Seoul district.
In the by-elections for the National Assembly, the Democratic Party won 9 seats, the People Power Party won 4, and independent candidate Han Dong-hoon won 1 seat. In the most closely watched Busan North Gap district, Han Dong-hoon, who was expelled from the People Power Party and ran as an independent, narrowly defeated Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo after a fierce battle. (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150604
The Democratic Party of Korea won 12 regions in this local election: South Jeolla (Gwangju), Busan, Incheon, Daejeon, Ulsan, Sejong, Gyeonggi Province, Gangwon Province, North Chungcheong Province, South Chungcheong Province, North Jeolla Province, and Jeju. The People Power Party secured the key battleground of Seoul, along with its stronghold Daegu, North Gyeongsang Province, and South Gyeongsang Province, for a total of 4 regions.
Due to President Lee Jae-myung's high approval ratings and the aftermath of the martial law controversy, the Democratic Party was widely expected to win before the election. According to Yonhap News, the ruling party, already holding legislative and executive power, has now also gained control of local governments, avenging its 15-to-2 defeat by the People Power Party in 2022. However, the loss of the Seoul mayoral seat means it cannot claim a complete victory.
Heo Jin-jae, director of Gallup Korea's polling division, previously analyzed the election situation at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club. He noted that in the previous two local elections, when the president's approval rating was high, the ruling party tended to win more local government seats. He also mentioned that since this local election was held one year after the president took office, it naturally serves as a report card for his first year in power.
However, Heo also said, 'What truly matters is not whether the Democratic Party will win, but to what extent it wins, and whether that is enough to be considered a true victory.' He pointed out that even if the Democratic Party wins in many regions, failing to capture Seoul or Busan would leave some regret. In this election, the Democratic Party successfully recaptured Busan but failed in the Seoul district.
In the by-elections for the National Assembly, the Democratic Party won 9 seats, the People Power Party won 4, and independent candidate Han Dong-hoon won 1 seat. In the most closely watched Busan North Gap district, Han Dong-hoon, who was expelled from the People Power Party and ran as an independent, narrowly defeated Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo after a fierce battle. (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150604