South Korea's ruling party wins most races in local elections

Key Points:

• South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party won the majority of local elections but lost the key Seoul mayoral race to the conservative People Power Party (PPP), marking a setback for President Lee Jae Myung’s political mandate.
• The Democratic Party secured 12 of 16 mayoral and gubernatorial posts, while the PPP won four, including the crucial Seoul mayor position, despite expectations that the Democratic Party would dominate given the PPP’s internal turmoil.
• President Lee, marking one year in office with over 60% approval ratings, benefits from increased local leadership support to advance regional policies and strengthen his party’s position ahead of the 2028 parliamentary elections.
• The PPP’s victory in Seoul and some parliamentary by-elections reflects ongoing factional struggles within the conservative party, with reformists and loyalists to former President Yoon Suk Yeol vying for influence.
• Controversy arose over a ballot paper shortage in Seoul polling stations, leading to demands by the PPP for a new election, which the Democratic Party rejected, underscoring heightened tensions surrounding the closely contested races.