South Korean Local Elections Results 2026: South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party (DP) emerged as the dominant force in the 2026 local elections, winning 12 of the country’s 16 major mayoral and gubernatorial positions. The results strengthened President Lee Jae Myung and expanded the party’s influence across much of the country.
However, the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) managed to retain several conservative strongholds, including the politically significant Seoul mayoral race.
The elections were closely watched as a major test of public support for Lee’s administration, one year after he took office.
Seoul Remains in Conservative Hands
The biggest race of the election took place in the capital city, where incumbent mayor Oh Se-hoon secured a fifth term for the PPP.
Although early exit polls suggested a close contest, Oh ultimately defeated Democratic Party challenger Chong Won-o, giving conservatives a major victory despite their broader losses nationwide.
Busan Delivers Major Win for Ruling Party
One of the most surprising results came in Busan, where Democratic Party candidate Jeon Jae-soo won the mayoral race. The victory was significant because Busan has traditionally leaned conservative and has often served as a stronghold for the PPP.
2026 South Korean Local Elections Results: Full List of Winners in the 16 Key Races
Mayoral Elections
| Region | Winner | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul | Oh Se-hoon | PPP |
| Busan | Jeon Jae-soo | Democratic Party |
| Incheon | Democratic Party candidate | Democratic Party |
| Daejeon | Democratic Party candidate | Democratic Party |
| Ulsan | Democratic Party candidate | Democratic Party |
| Sejong | Democratic Party candidate | Democratic Party |
| Daegu | PPP candidate | PPP |
Gubernatorial Elections
| Province | Winner’s Party |
|---|---|
| Gyeonggi Province | Democratic Party |
| Gangwon Province | Democratic Party |
| North Chungcheong Province | Democratic Party |
| South Chungcheong Province | Democratic Party |
| North Jeolla Province | Democratic Party |
| South Jeolla Province | Democratic Party |
| Jeju Province | Democratic Party |
| North Gyeongsang Province | PPP |
| South Gyeongsang Province | PPP |
South Korean Local Elections Results 2026: Seat Tally for Democratic Party vs People Power Party
The final results gave the Democratic Party a commanding lead:
- Democratic Party (DP): 12 seats
- People Power Party (PPP): 4 seats
The ruling party captured most major metropolitan areas and provinces, while the opposition maintained control in several traditional conservative regions.
South Korean Local Elections Results 2026: What do the Results Mean for Lee Jae Myung?
The outcome gives President Lee additional support at the regional level and could help his administration implement policy initiatives more effectively across the country.
Political analysts say the Democratic Party’s strong showing reinforces its position ahead of future national elections. However, losing Seoul means the party failed to secure the country’s most influential local government, preventing a complete electoral sweep.
For the PPP, retaining Seoul and other conservative strongholds provides a foundation for rebuilding after the political turmoil that followed former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s removal from office.
While the Democratic Party celebrated a nationwide victory, the battle for political influence in South Korea is far from over, with both parties already looking ahead to the next major electoral contests.
