Leadership test vote awaits President Lee Jae Myung as South Korea approaches its June 3 local elections. The vote occurs roughly 50 days from now. This marks the first nationwide election since Lee took office in July last year. Voters will choose around 4,000 officials including 16 metropolitan mayors and governors. The outcome will likely shape the government’s momentum heading into its second year.
The People Power Party currently holds 12 of the country’s 17 metropolitan governments. The party achieved this through a landslide victory in the 2022 local elections. A strong Democratic Party showing would give the ruling party control over both the National Assembly and local governments. This would potentially strengthen policy execution and coordination across different levels of government. Conversely, a weaker-than-expected outcome could embolden opposition calls for greater checks on the administration.
Recent polling has buoyed the ruling party’s outlook significantly. A Gallup Korea survey conducted April 7-9 showed Lee’s approval rating at a post-inauguration high of 67 percent. Support has risen even in traditionally conservative regions such as Daegu and Busan. Park Myoung-ho, a political science professor at Dongguk University, said the election would serve as the first nationwide midterm evaluation of the Lee administration. With public opinion currently leaning toward political stability, the existing advantage is likely to be a significant factor, Park stated.
Both parties are accelerating candidate selections despite internal disputes. The Democratic Party has finalized candidates in 11 regions so far. The People Power Party has done so in nine regions. Head-to-head matchups have been confirmed in Incheon, Busan, Gangwon Province, South Gyeongsang Province and Ulsan. In Busan, incumbent Mayor Park Heong-joon of the People Power Party will face Democratic Party Rep. Jeon Jae-soo. Seoul remains the most closely watched race on the People Power Party side. The Democratic Party has selected Chong Won-o, a former chief of Seoul’s Seongdong district.
The local elections will coincide with a growing number of parliamentary by-elections. The number of constituencies expected to rise to around 10 or more. Key districts include Incheon Gyeyang B, South Chungcheong Asan B, and Gyeonggi Ansan A. Attention also focuses on whether a constitutional revision referendum will be held alongside the elections. Such a move could further elevate voter turnout and political stakes. The official campaign period will run from May 21 to June 2. Early voting will take place over two days from May 29 to 30. Economic concerns including Middle East-related uncertainties and housing pressures loom large over the race. Observers say the election outcome will shape South Korea’s political landscape for years.
