No Winner in 10·16 By-Elections... People Power Party and Democratic Party Tie 2:2 (Comprehensive)

People Power Party Wins Busan Geumjeong District Mayor by 22% Margin
Democratic Party Holds Two Honam Seats in Opposition Competition

The October 16 by-elections resulted in both the ruling and opposition parties holding onto their traditional strongholds. It was essentially a tie. The People Power Party (PPP) secured a relatively large lead in the Busan Geumjeong District Mayor by-election. In the three-way race among opposition parties in the Jeonnam Yeonggwang County Governor re-election, the Democratic Party emerged victorious. Ultimately, this election ended with the existing balance maintained.

According to the National Election Commission on the 17th, in the by-elections for four local government heads, the People Power Party and the Democratic Party each won two seats.

In the Busan Geumjeong District Mayor by-election, candidate Yoon Il-hyun of the People Power Party won decisively with 61.0% against Democratic Party candidate Kim Kyung-ji’s 39.0%. Although it was initially analyzed that Kim Kyung-ji’s support rate had rapidly narrowed in polls after successfully uniting with Ryu Je-sung of the Joguk Innovation Party, the actual voter sentiment was different. It appears that People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon’s six visits to Geumjeong District to solidify grassroots support played a crucial role. For the Democratic Party, this confirmed the high barrier in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (PK) region.

The People Power Party also comfortably won the Incheon Ganghwa County Governor by-election, considered a stronghold. Candidate Park Yong-chul of the People Power Party secured 51.0%, defeating Democratic Party candidate Han Yeon-hee, who received 42.1%.

In Honam, known as the major battleground between the Democratic Party and the Joguk Innovation Party, the Democratic Party held onto its stronghold. Joguk Innovation Party leader Jo Guk, who had been campaigning intensively in Honam since Chuseok, managed to secure over 15% in each voting district?enough to cover election expenses?but failed to win any seat.

In the Jeonnam Yeonggwang County Governor re-election, where the Democratic Party, Joguk Innovation Party, and Progressive Party competed, candidate Jang Se-il won with 41.1%. The runner-up was Lee Seok-ha of the Progressive Party with 30.7%. Jang Hyun of the Joguk Innovation Party, who showed early strength, came in third with 26.6%. In the Jeonnam Gokseong County Governor re-election, Democratic Party candidate Jo Sang-rae won with 55.3%, defeating Park Woong-du of the Joguk Innovation Party, who received 35.9%.

Despite being held on a weekday, the by-elections attracted high interest with an average voter turnout of 53.9%. Particularly in Yeonggwang, the turnout reached 70.1%, nearly matching the 70.2% turnout in 2022. This is interpreted as a result of both parties mobilizing their support bases fully.

After confirming the early trend of defending the People Power Party’s strongholds, leader Han Dong-hoon stated via social media (SNS), "We will lead change and reform of the government and ruling party according to the will of the people." He intends to use the election results as momentum for party and government reform.

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung urged via SNS, "I ask the elected officials to open a new horizon of local autonomy that enhances the efficacy of politics." However, the election results, failing to expand beyond traditional strongholds to regions like PK, left a somewhat deflated impression.