Loss in Seoul Overshadows Governing Party’s Wins in South Korean Elections

The center-left Democratic Party of South Korea experienced mixed results in recent local elections. While securing a sweeping victory in many regions, the party faced a setback in Seoul, the nation’s capital, which is considered the most significant elected position following the presidency.

Pre-election surveys and exit polls had anticipated a win for the Democratic Party’s candidate over the conservative incumbent in Seoul. The party, already in control of the parliamentary majority, aimed to strengthen its influence and maintain President Lee Jae Myung’s political momentum just a year after his presidential win.

Seoul citizens have once again firmly established the fundamental principle of democracy: checks and balances, stated Oh Se-hoon, who secured re-election as Seoul’s mayor. You have kept Seoul as the final safeguard of democracy, ensuring that South Korea does not tilt entirely to one side. His opponent, Chong Won-o from the Democratic Party, conceded in the race.

On Thursday, with nearly all votes tallied, the Democratic Party had secured victories in 12 of 16 major contests for metropolitan mayors and provincial governors. This included winning the governorship of Gyeonggi Province, a densely populated area around Seoul, and the mayoralty in Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, traditionally dominated by conservatives. The People Power Party won in four areas, including the mayoralty of Daegu and two provincial governorships in the southeastern Gyeongsang region, its historical stronghold.

Four years ago, the People Power Party dominated the local elections, achieving a majority in the races. However, their position weakened when their former leader and former President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in late 2024. Following this, he was removed from office and sentenced to life imprisonment on insurrection charges.