Six Months Until Local Elections: Fierce Battles Expected Nationwide, Including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Busan

First Nationwide Election After the Early Presidential Race
Fierce Competition for Party Nominations Begins
Ruling and Opposition Parties All-In: Defending vs. Reclaiming Power

With 180 days remaining until the 9th nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3 next year, the competitive landscape between the ruling and opposition parties is intensifying. As this will be the first nationwide election held under the Lee Jaemyung administration, which was newly established after the 12·3 Martial Law incident, it is expected to serve as a barometer of public sentiment.

According to the National Election Commission on December 5, the June 3 local elections will simultaneously elect metropolitan and basic local government heads, metropolitan and basic council members, and superintendents of education across all 17 provinces and metropolitan cities. Registration for preliminary candidates for provincial governors and superintendents of education will begin on February 3 next year, and the deadline for public officials to resign in order to run for office is March 5. Candidate registration will take place from May 14 to 15, and the official election campaign period will begin on May 21. Early voting will be held on May 29 and 30.

This election is expected to serve as a "report card" for the Lee Jaemyung administration's early governance. The ruling party has set its sights on a repeat of "Again 2018." In the 2018 local elections, which were held during the first year of the Moon Jaein administration following the impeachment of former President Park Geunhye, the Democratic Party achieved an overwhelming victory by winning 14 out of 17 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial seats.

In contrast, the People Power Party is aiming for a "2022 Again" scenario. In the June 1, 2022 local elections, which were held immediately after the inauguration of the Yoon Sukyeol administration, the party swept 12 out of 17 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial seats. Most of the metropolitan heads elected at that time are running for re-election in this upcoming race.

The Seoul mayoral race is drawing the most attention. Within the Democratic Party, lawmakers Kim Youngbae, Park Hongkeun, Park Joomin, Seo Youngkyo, and Jeon Hyunhee (in alphabetical order), as well as former lawmakers Park Yongjin and Hong Ikpyo, and Seongdong District Mayor Jeong Wono are being mentioned as potential candidates. Additionally, regardless of their own intentions, Prime Minister Kim Minseok, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hunsik, and Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, are also being discussed as potential candidates from the broader ruling coalition. On the People Power Party side, current Mayor Oh Sehoon's bid for a fifth term is in the spotlight, while five-term lawmaker Na Kyungwon is also preparing to run for Seoul mayor again.

The race for Gyeonggi Province governor is also a focal point. Incumbent Governor Kim Dongyeon's bid for re-election is being challenged by several Democratic Party lawmakers, including Kang Deukgu, Kwon Chilsung, Kim Byungjoo, Park Jeong, Yeom Taeyoung, Choo Mi-ae, and Han Junho (listed alphabetically), who are gaining attention as primary contenders. While People Power Party figures such as lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo and former lawmaker Yoo Seungmin are being mentioned, Gyeonggi Province is considered a region where the party is relatively weak, so no clear frontrunner has emerged yet.

The Busan mayoral race is also a key topic of interest in political circles. Incumbent Mayor Park Hyungjoon has officially announced his bid for a third term, but no prominent challenger has emerged within the People Power Party so far. On the Democratic Party side, former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Jeon Jaesoo, who has emerged as a strong contender, as well as former Busan Party Chair Lee Jaeseong and former lawmaker Park Jaeho, are being discussed as potential candidates.

The elections in the Chungcheong region, often referred to as the "barometer of public sentiment," are also drawing attention. In Daejeon, incumbent Mayor Lee Jangwoo is expected to seek re-election. Former Mayor Heo Taejeong, who narrowly lost by 2.39 percentage points in the previous election, is preparing for a rematch as the Democratic Party's candidate. In addition, fierce competition between the ruling and opposition parties is anticipated for the gubernatorial races in Gangwon, South Chungcheong, North Chungcheong, South Gyeongsang, and the mayoral race in Ulsan, all of which the Democratic Party is aiming to reclaim.