South Korean political parties are prioritizing real estate issues and internal conflict to win voter support before the June 3, 2026 [2], local and parliamentary by-elections.

These focuses reflect a volatile political climate where housing affordability and national stability have become primary drivers of voter sentiment. With only 25 days [1] remaining until the elections, both sides are attempting to capitalize on public anxiety following a period of significant institutional instability.

In a broadcast interview on YTN, Lee Dong-hak, a former top member of the Democratic Party, and Lee Joon-woo, a People Power Party media spokesperson, discussed the strategies used to capture the public mood. The parties are emphasizing the concept of internal conflict, or "내란," to frame their opponents and appeal to a shaken electorate.

Lee Dong-hak noted the desperation of the current political moment, citing a series of crises that have damaged public confidence in the state. He pointed to a near-martial-law situation and a subsequent impeachment that led to a change in presidential power.

"It is inevitable that we feel desperate," Lee said. "Two years ago, there was a huge martial law situation where the country almost collapsed, and after that, there was an impeachment, so we changed the presidential power."

Real estate remains a central pillar of the campaigns. Both the ruling and opposition parties are tailoring their platforms to address housing costs, which continue to be a dominant concern for the South Korean public. The parties are leveraging these economic pressures, alongside the memory of recent political turmoil, to position themselves as the only viable path toward stability.

The upcoming vote on June 3, 2026 [2], will serve as a critical barometer for the current administration and the opposition's ability to manage the country's internal divisions.

“"Two years ago, there was a huge martial law situation where the country almost collapsed"”

The emphasis on 'internal conflict' and housing suggests that the South Korean electorate is currently driven by a need for basic stability and economic security. By framing the election around a near-collapse of the state and the cost of living, parties are moving away from ideological debates and toward a survival-based narrative, reflecting a deep-seated public distrust in the resilience of national institutions.