Exit-poll results released Wednesday show South Korea's Democratic Party leading in 11 localities [1].
These preliminary figures suggest a significant shift in political momentum that could reshape the legislative landscape. The results arrived immediately after polls closed and three major terrestrial broadcasters released their data.
According to the data, the People Power Party led in only one locality [2], while four localities remained in a close race [3]. The stark divide in the results triggered contrasting emotional responses from the leadership of the two main parties.
Democratic Party leadership monitored the results from a situation room in the National Assembly building. When the data showed the party was dominant in Seoul and Ulsan and in a close contest in Daegu, cheers and applause broke out in the room, a YTN reporter said.
In contrast, officials from the People Power Party gathered in an underground tally room in Yeouido. Reports on the atmosphere varied, with some sources describing the room as silent and others noting audible sighing among the officials.
Beyond the numbers, the election day was marred by a rare dispute regarding the integrity of the voting process. Reports emerged from several precincts alleging a shortage of ballot papers, a situation that has sparked a conflict between party officials and election monitors.
Election officials and party leaders continued to monitor the official tally as the results were processed. An anchor for YTN said the network would continue to provide the official counting results shortly after the initial exit-poll announcement.
“Democratic Party leading in 11 localities”
The disparity between the exit polls and the reported administrative failures, specifically the ballot shortages, could lead to legal challenges or demands for recounts. If the Democratic Party maintains this lead in the final count, it may secure a dominant mandate, though the dispute over ballot integrity could fuel partisan tensions regarding the legitimacy of the outcome.
