Ruling Democratic Party Wins Most South Korea Local Races

The ruling Democratic Party won the majority of 16 mayoral and gubernatorial contests in South Korea's local elections held June 3, 2026 [1, 2].

These results serve as a critical barometer of public support for the liberal government of President Lee Jae Myung, which has been in power for one year. The outcome reflects the electorate's view of the administration's early performance and policy direction.

Incumbent Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon (People Power Party) retained his seat after a tight race [1, 3]. While the ruling party dominated other regions, the Seoul contest remained a focal point of the election cycle, with interim counts showing a race too close to call before the final tally ^[3].

The broader victory for the Democratic Party spans various metropolitan areas, signaling a consolidated hold on regional governance. In contrast, the People Power Party's success in the capital suggests a persistent divide between the urban center of Seoul and other provincial districts.

Other regions, including Daegu, saw competitive races where candidates said a public desire for change was a primary driver for voters ^[4]. The counting process concluded on June 4 and 5, finalizing the distribution of power across the 16 contested regional leadership positions [1, 2].

This electoral cycle occurred under the shadow of previous political scandals involving former presidents, which influenced the atmosphere of the campaign ^[5]. Despite these tensions, the ruling party managed to secure the majority of the gubernatorial and mayoral seats contested in the June 3 ^[2] vote.