Preliminary results from regional elections in South Korea have registered a convincing victory for the opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which has managed to avenge a humiliating defeat four years ago and land a heavy blow on the conservative camp.
Triple triumph for the opposition
According to the National Election Commission (NEC), the Democratic Party is winning 13 out of 16 races for mayoral and gubernatorial posts, while their main rivals, the People Power Party (PPP), can expect to secure only two key positions.
In Seoul, the DPK candidate, Jeon Won-o, is polling 64 per cent, comfortably ahead of the incumbent mayor, Oh Se-hoon of the PPP. The result reflects a sharp shift in voter sentiment – just four years ago, 12 out of 17 senior posts remained in conservative hands.
What else was at stake
Beyond the mayoral and gubernatorial contests, voters also decided the fate of 16 seats on education superintendency bodies, 227 heads of local administrations, and roughly four thousand local council seats. In addition, 14 parliamentary seats were contested in by-elections, 13 of which had previously belonged to the ruling party.
Although the count is not yet complete, the DPK’s apparent lead is likely to strengthen the government’s mandate to push through reforms. At the same time, it represents a crushing blow to the People Power Party, which has been struggling to rebuild support among conservatives following the removal and trial of former president Yoon Suk Yeol.
In February, Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life imprisonment for attempting to seize power by declaring martial law. The former president has filed an appeal.
Ballot paper scandal and risk of a recount
The opposition has already said it intends to challenge the results because of an unprecedented shortage of ballot papers at 14 polling stations in Seoul. The resulting suspension of voting led some voters to leave without casting their ballots.
The People Power Party has demanded that the NEC stop the count immediately and, if necessary, hold a re-run of the vote.
