Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Seoul mayoral race remains too close to call
This composite image shows the rival candidates in the Seoul mayoral race — Chong Won-o, left, of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, and Oh Se-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party. Yonhap
By Yi Whan-woo
The Seoul mayoral race in Wednesday's local elections still remains too close to call, with the winner uncertain more than 12 hours after polls closed Wednesday.
As of 6:20 a.m. Thursday, Chong Won-o of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) secured 48.94 percent of the vote, compared with 48.34 percent for incumbent Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), who was seeking reelection.
However, the race later swung in Oh's favor, with the incumbent taking a slim lead of 48.78 percent to Chong's 48.5 percent as of 8:20 a.m.
The DPK candidate had been projected to win, leading the PPP contender 51.4 percent to 46 percent in a joint exit poll released by broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS after polls ended at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The vote counting, however, has not yet been finished yet following ballot paper shortages at polling stations in some southern Seoul districts.
As the National Election Commission (NEC) extended the closure of voting from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, to allow those waiting for the papers to cast ballots, people who claimed unfair and illegal voting flocked to one of the stations.
They blocked NEC officials from carrying the ballot boxes to the vote counting venue, with two boxes still remaining in the station.