Seoul: The ruling Democratic Party (DP) achieved a significant triumph in the recent local and parliamentary by-elections, capturing critical mayoral positions, including a landmark win in Busan, a traditional conservative bastion. Despite this sweeping success, the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) managed to hold on to the Seoul mayoralty, with incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon securing a fifth term.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the DP claimed 12 out of the 16 crucial mayoral and gubernatorial positions, marking a decisive victory in Busan with Jeon Jae-soo's election as mayor. Meanwhile, the PPP retained control over four seats, including Seoul. The parliamentary by-elections conducted alongside the local elections saw the DP winning nine out of 14 seats, with the PPP securing four and an independent candidate taking the remaining seat.
The DP's dominance in the 300-member National Assembly remains largely unchallenged despite the minor setback of losing four parliamentary seats, which were previously held by the party. The elections took place exactly one year after the Lee administration assumed office, further consolidating the government's mandate to advance its reform agenda.
The outcome signifies a stark shift in voter sentiment compared to four years ago when the PPP, then in power, controlled 12 of the 17 significant gubernatorial and mayoral roles. This year's results are seen as a blow to the PPP, which is striving to regain conservative support following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's removal from office.
In a historic achievement, veteran DP lawmaker Choo Mi-ae emerged victorious in Gyeonggi Province, becoming the first female head of a provincial government in the country. The capital region, a pivotal electoral battleground, witnessed a fierce contest, reflecting its importance in the national political landscape.
Busan's election proved to be intensely competitive, with DP candidate Jeon narrowly defeating the PPP's Park Heong-joon. In the parliamentary by-elections, former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon managed to secure a seat as an independent, while Cho Kuk, leader of the liberal Rebuilding Korea Party, narrowly lost in the Pyeongtaek-B constituency.
This election cycle served as a critical nationwide assessment for President Lee, who assumed office following Yoon's ouster due to a failed martial law attempt. The DP's campaign strongly urged the public to reject the remnants of Yoon's influence, following his life imprisonment sentence in February for the failed coup attempt.
In addition to mayoral and parliamentary contests, this year's elections included 16 education superintendent seats, 227 local government head positions, and approximately 4,000 local council seats. In Seoul, the DP's performance improved significantly, winning 17 out of 25 district chief posts compared to the eight seats it held after the 2022 elections.
Overall, the DP secured 119 of the 227 district chief positions nationwide, with the PPP obtaining 95, leaving the rest to independents and minor parties.