South Koreans headed to the polls on Wednesday in nationwide local elections that are widely expected to strengthen President Lee Jae Myung and his ruling Democratic Party.
The elections mark the first major nationwide vote since Lee secured victory in last year’s snap presidential election and are being closely watched as a referendum on his administration’s performance during its first year in office.
Voters are casting ballots to elect mayors and governors across 16 cities and provinces, while the results are also expected to reveal whether the conservative People Power Party can recover from the political fallout surrounding former president Yoon Suk Yeol and his failed martial law attempt in 2024.
Political analysts say the Democratic Party is heavily favoured to make significant gains.
“The question is no longer whether the Democratic Party will win, but by how much,” public opinion expert Heo Jin-jae of Gallup Korea reportedly said ahead of polling day.
Particular attention is focused on major battlegrounds such as Seoul and Busan, where victories would cement what many observers would regard as a landslide triumph for the ruling party.
President Lee has enjoyed strong approval ratings in recent months, with polls suggesting voters have responded positively to his focus on economic issues, corporate governance reforms and efforts to support household finances amid rising living costs.
Analysts also point to a strong rally in South Korea’s stock market, with the benchmark KOSPI repeatedly reaching record highs under Lee’s administration.
However, critics argue that his government has struggled to address housing affordability concerns and accuse the administration of using political influence to protect allies facing legal scrutiny.
A strong result for the Democratic Party would further consolidate Lee’s political authority, strengthening his mandate to continue market-friendly economic policies, expansionary fiscal spending and a more conciliatory approach towards North Korea.
Despite the high political stakes, analysts believe the elections are unlikely to trigger any major policy shifts, with Lee expected to remain focused on economic management, investor confidence and measures aimed at easing energy costs.
Alongside the local contests, voters are also participating in 14 parliamentary by-elections that could reshape South Korea’s political landscape ahead of the next presidential race.
Several high-profile figures are seeking seats in the National Assembly, including Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk and former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon.
The by-elections are being closely monitored as a gauge of the conservative camp’s ability to rebuild after the downfall of Yoon, who was sentenced to life imprisonment earlier this year after being convicted over his role in an alleged insurrection and remains involved in other legal proceedings.
Early voting turnout reached 23.5 per cent of eligible voters, marking the highest advance voting participation ever recorded for South Korean local elections.
The Democratic Party already controls both the presidency and parliament, and a commanding performance in Wednesday’s polls could hand the party its greatest concentration of political power since 2020.
Meanwhile, the People Power Party currently governs 12 of the country’s 16 local administrations but is expected to lose several strongholds as voters head to the ballot box.
Exit polls are scheduled to be released shortly after voting ends, with official results expected to begin emerging early Thursday morning.
