The Democratic Party won 80 of the 118 seats in the Seoul City Council [1], securing a dominant majority in the city's legislative body.
This outcome creates a divided government in South Korea's capital. While the mayor holds executive power, the council controls the budget and legislative oversight, meaning Mayor Oh Se-hoon must now negotiate with an opposition-led body to implement his agenda.
Oh Se-hoon (People Power Party) became the first mayor in the city's history to be elected to a fifth term [1]. Despite this personal victory, his administration faces a challenging legislative environment. The People Power Party secured 38 of the 118 seats [1], leaving them as a minority in the council.
The shift in power follows local elections held between June 1 and June 2, 2022 [2]. The Democratic Party's capture of approximately 68% of the seats [1] is expected to increase the level of scrutiny and monitoring of the mayor's policy initiatives.
Reflecting on his return to office, Oh said, "I have returned to my place after 38 days. I thought for a moment that I might not be able to return."
The tension between the executive office and the council is expected to center on policy verification. With a supermajority, the Democratic Party has the leverage to block or modify the mayor's proposals, potentially leading to a period of political friction within the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
“The Democratic Party won 80 of the 118 seats in the Seoul City Council”
The election results establish a system of checks and balances that may slow the pace of administrative change in Seoul. Because the mayor and the council majority belong to opposing parties, the city's governance will likely shift from unilateral policy execution to a model of forced compromise and intense legislative oversight.
