South Korea

Turnout in local elections tentatively tallied at 61%, 2nd highest to date

Turnout in the local elections was tentatively tallied at 61 percent, the election watchdog said Thursday, the highest rate since the first nationwide local elections in 1995. According to the National Election Commission (NEC), nearly 27.25 million out of 44.64 million eligible voters had cast their ballots in Wednesday's local elections. The final tally was still undetermined six hours after polls closed as a shortage of ballots at 14 voting stations in Seoul had pushed back the end of voting hours at some stations. The 61 percent turnout is less than the 68.4 percent turnout in the 1995 elections but higher than the 60.2 percent recorded in the 2018 polls, the second highest prior to Wednesday's vote. In the previous local elections in 2022, the final turnout was 50.9 percent.

Jun 4, 2026By Yonhap

Turnout in local elections tentatively tallied at 61%, 2nd highest to date

2026 local elections

Will liberal victories in education races reshape Korea's competitive education system?

Korea may be entering a new era of progressive leadership in education, after exit polls showed liberal candidates leading in most regional education superintendent races, potentially reshaping school policies nationwide. If the projections hold, liberal party candidates could control up to 13 of the country's 16 regional education offices, marking a significant shift from the near-even split between liberals and conservatives that emerged from the 2022 elections. Education experts say the results could accelerate efforts to reduce academic competition and address what progressives view as the hierarchical structure of Korea's high school and college admissions system. However, some of the candidates' most ambitious campaign pledges may prove difficult to implement because they require action from the central government and National Assembly. One of the clearest trends in this election was the strong performance of incumbents. Of the 10 sitting superintendents who sought reelection, most appeared likely to retain their posts based on exit poll results. Analysts attributed the trend partl

Jun 3, 2026By Hankookilbo

Will liberal victories in education races reshape Korea's competitive education system?

2026 local elections

PPP calls for revote over Seoul ballot shortages

The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) leader Jang Dong-hyeok called for an immediate halt to vote counting Wednesday until the cause of ballot shortages at several Seoul polling stations during the day's local elections could be determined. “The Seoul election has been tainted. A tainted election is invalid," Jang said. "Once counting proceeds and wraps up, there will be no way to properly investigate what happened. Counting must stop right now.” Jang added that depending on the findings, the suspension should extend to all affected areas, including Seoul and Incheon, and that a by-election should be held if irregularities are confirmed. Heo Cheol-hoon, secretary general of the National Election Commission (NEC), apologized for the disruption. “I feel deeply responsible and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to voters who came to the polls to exercise their precious right to vote, and for undermining public trust in fair election administration,” Heo said during a briefing Wednesday evening. Voting at several polling stations in southern Seoul and Incheon was

Jun 3, 2026By Park Ung

PPP calls for revote over Seoul ballot shortages

2026 local elections

Progressive candidates lead in most education superintendent races: exit poll

Progressive candidates are projected to dominate Korea's education superintendent elections, leading in 11 of the 16 races surveyed, according to a joint exit poll released Wednesday by the country's three major broadcasters. The poll, conducted by KBS, MBC and SBS following voting in the nationwide education superintendent elections, suggests that progressive candidates could ultimately win as many as 13 regional education offices, depending on the outcomes of two closely contested races. In the Seoul metropolitan area, progressive candidates were projected to lead in all three jurisdictions. In Seoul, incumbent superintendent Jung Geun-sik was forecast to receive 39 percent of the vote, ahead of conservative challenger Cho Jeon-hyuk, who was projected to garner 21.2 percent. In Gyeonggi Province, progressive candidate Ahn Min-seok was projected to win 58.2 percent, compared with the 41.8 percent of conservative candidate Lim Tae-hee. In Incheon, incumbent superintendent Do Seong-hoon was expected to secure 37.1 percent, ahead of Lee Dae-hyung's 32.7 percent. Progressive candidates were a

Jun 3, 2026By Hankookilbo

Progressive candidates lead in most education superintendent races: exit poll

Politics

Police receive 312 voting-related reports on election day

Police said Wednesday they received a total of 312 voting-related reports complaining of misbehavior or inconveniences during local elections held the same day. According to the National Police Agency, the reports were filed nationwide between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m., with vote disruptions and commotions taking up the largest number of cases at 53. Travel inconveniences followed at 14 cases, while assault accounted for three. In one case, a voter in Seoul was reported to have protested loudly while attempting to vote twice to take issue with what he described as election fraud. In another instance, a 60-something man in Seoul's southern Dongjak Ward was reported to have caused a ruckus while having his ID checked. Police said they plan to verify the details of each case and determine whether there were violations of the law.

Jun 3, 2026By Yonhap

Police receive 312 voting-related reports on election day

2026 local elections

Exit polls show DPK candidate leading Seoul mayoral race

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is leading in the Seoul mayoral race in the June 3 local elections, according to exit polls, but faces too-close-to-call contests in Busan and Daegu against candidates of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP). A sweep of all three cities would deliver a commanding mandate for the Lee Jae Myung administration, though the tight margins in Busan and Daegu mean the final outcomes could still go either way. For the Seoul mayoral race, Chong Won-o, a three-term Seongdong District head and DPK candidate, led the exit poll and is largely expected to be elected to lead the capital city with 51.4 percent of the vote, while incumbent Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who was seeking reelection with the PPP, is predicted to gain approximately 46 percent of the vote. Meanwhile, JTBC's forecast placed Chong further ahead at 53.5 percent to Oh's 42.9 percent. The exit poll was conducted by the Korea Election Pool, a joint forecasting committee formed by broadcasters KBS, SBS and MBC. The consortium surveyed voters at 615 polling stations nationwide and conducte

Jun 3, 2026By Park Ji-won

Exit polls show DPK candidate leading Seoul mayoral race

2026 local elections

Choo Mi-ae breaks gender barrier again as Korea's 1st female governor

Choo Mi-ae, a ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate who has repeatedly shattered gender barriers throughout her career, broke new ground again, as she was elected governor of Gyeonggi Province in the local elections, Wednesday. Choo garnered 55.04 percent of the vote, defeating the main opposition People Power Party's (PPP)'s Yang Hyang-ja who received 39.37 percent, in a rare all-female contest between the rival parties. The historic contest drew nationwide attention, as either candidate's win would have marked the first time a woman was elected to lead a provincial or metropolitan government in Korea. The victory marks another milestone in Choo’s career, which has been defined by a series of trailblazing achievements for a woman across the legislative, executive and judicial branches. Among those achievements are becoming the first female judge elected to the National Assembly, the first woman to serve six terms in parliament and the first elected female leader of a ruling party. She served as a judge for 10 years until 1995, when she entered politics after being recruited

Jun 3, 2026By Yi Whan-woo

Choo Mi-ae breaks gender barrier again as Korea's 1st female governor

2026 local elections

Busan's Buk-A by-election shows close race between former presidential aide, ex-PPP leader

Ha Jung-woo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and independent candidate Han Dong-hoon are locked in a neck-and-neck race in the parliamentary by-election for Busan's Buk-A constituency, according to an exit poll released 6 p.m. Wednesday by the country's three major broadcasters. In the joint exit poll conducted by KBS, MBC and SBS, Ha held a narrow lead with 42.6 percent of the vote, while Han garnered 41.6 percent, within the margin of error ranging from 1.7 to 4.1 percentage points, with a 95 percent confidence level. Park Min-shik of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) gained 15.8 percent. The constituency emerged as one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the parliamentary by-elections, which were held alongside the local elections, seen as a duel between Han and Ha that could play a role in shaping the country’s political landscape. Ha was the inaugural senior presidential secretary for artificial intelligence (AI) and future planning. While overseeing the Lee Jae Myung administration's AI strategy, the Busan native joined the DPK's race following re

Jun 3, 2026By Anna J. Park

Busan's Buk-A by-election shows close race between former presidential aide, ex-PPP leader

2026 local elections

Local election turnout hits 61% as of 11 pm, exceeding 2022 mark

The turnout for Wednesday's local elections was tallied at 61 percent as of 11 p.m., according to the National Election Commission. According to the election watchdog, 27.2 million out of 44.6 million eligible voters cast their ballots. The final turnout figure had not been confirmed as of 11 p.m., as ballot shortages at polling stations in southern Seoul forced voting to extend until around 10 p.m. for those who were already in line before closing time. Early voting on Friday and Saturday drew more than 10 million voters for a 23.5 percent turnout — a record high for a local election, surpassing the 20.6 percent mark set in 2022. Wednesday's turnout was higher than the 2022 local elections, which recorded 50.9 percent. Turnout in local elections has ranged between 50 and 60 percent over the past decade. In the 2022 local elections, early voting hit a record high, raising expectations for a strong final turnout. However, the overall figure fell short, coming in roughly 10 percentage points below the previous election and marking the second-lowest participation rate in local election his

Jun 3, 2026By Park Ung

Local election turnout hits 61% as of 11 pm, exceeding 2022 mark

Politics

Ruling party projected to secure sweeping win in local elections

The liberal ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is projected to dominate Wednesday’s local elections, with an exit poll showing its candidates leading in a majority of key races across the nation while the conservative main opposition People Power Party (PPP) trailed behind. In Seoul, however, ballot shortages emerged as a major flashpoint, disrupting voting in Songpa District and several other locations. The PPP called for an immediate halt to ballot counting throughout all of Seoul and, if necessary, a revote, insisting that the shortages had “seriously undermined the fairness of the election.” According to a joint exit poll, released at 6 p.m. by major broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS, DPK candidates were leading in 11 of the nation’s 16 mayoral and gubernatorial contests, while the PPP was ahead in just one. Contests in four cities and provinces — Busan, Daegu, Gangwon Province and North Jeolla Province — were too close to call as of 11:30 p.m. In the closely watched Seoul mayoral race, DPK candidate Chong Won-o led the race at 51.4 percent, outpacing incumbent Mayor Oh

Jun 3, 2026By Jung Min-ho

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Read more

Turnout in local elections tentatively tallied at 61%, 2nd highest to date

Will liberal victories in education races reshape Korea's competitive education system?

PPP calls for revote over Seoul ballot shortages

Progressive candidates lead in most education superintendent races: exit poll

Police receive 312 voting-related reports on election day

Exit polls show DPK candidate leading Seoul mayoral race

Choo Mi-ae breaks gender barrier again as Korea's 1st female governor

Busan's Buk-A by-election shows close race between former presidential aide, ex-PPP leader

Local election turnout hits 61% as of 11 pm, exceeding 2022 mark

Ruling party projected to secure sweeping win in local elections

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