South Korea Local Elections 2026

South Korea held nationwide local elections on June 3, with early voting taking place from May 29-30. These elections, which include choosing mayors, governors in 16 cities and provinces, and 14 parliamentary by-elections, are widely seen as a referendum on President Lee Jae Myung>>>'s first year in office. His ruling South Korea — Minjudang>>> is expected to secure a significant victory, potentially leading to its greatest concentration of political power since 2020. The main conservative opposition, the South Korea — People Power Party>>>, is struggling to recover from the fallout of former President Yoon Suk Yeol>>>'s failed martial law bid and subsequent imprisonment. Key races include the Seoul mayoral election between South Korea — Minjudang>>>'s Chong Won-o>>> and South Korea — People Power Party>>>'s incumbent Oh Se-hoon>>>, and parliamentary by-elections involving political heavyweights like South Korea — Rebuilding Korea Party>>> leader Cho Kuk>>> and former South Korea — People Power Party>>> leader Han Dong-hoon>>>. Analysts suggest that while a strong showing for the South Korea — Minjudang>>> would reinforce Lee Jae Myung>>>'s pro-market and activist fiscal policies, major policy shifts are not anticipated.