South Korean Local Elections LIVE Results 2026: South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party emerged as the biggest winner in the country’s local elections, securing control of most mayoral and gubernatorial races. However, the party failed to capture Seoul, the nation’s political and economic centre, in what many analysts view as the most important contest of the election.
The results delivered a mixed outcome for President Lee Jae Myung. While his party strengthened its political influence across much of the country, the loss in Seoul prevented it from claiming a complete victory.
Election officials said the Democratic Party won 12 of the 16 mayoral and provincial governor races contested nationwide, while the conservative People Power Party (PPP) secured four victories, including the highly watched Seoul mayoral election.
Seoul Mayoral Race Becomes Election’s Biggest Story
Much of the public attention focused on Seoul, where Democratic Party candidate Chong Won-o faced incumbent conservative Mayor Oh Se-hoon. Early exit polls and initial vote counts suggested Chong held an advantage. However, as more ballots were counted overnight, Oh overtook his challenger and secured re-election.
“Seoul’s future has become brighter,” Oh said in an acceptance speech. ”Our citizens ensured that the Republic of Korea does not tilt excessively toward one direction and preserved Seoul as democracy’s last safeguard.”
The result represented a major win for the conservative opposition at a time when the party continues to recover from a period of political turmoil.
Following the outcome, Chong conceded defeat.
“I heavily and humbly accept the result.”
South Korean Local Elections LIVE Results: Why the Seoul Result Matters for Lee Jae Myung?
Although President Lee remains popular nationally, political experts believe control of Seoul carries enormous symbolic and strategic importance. Thursday marked Lee’s first anniversary in office after he won a snap presidential election following the removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Lee continues to enjoy approval ratings above 60%, supported by a strong stock market, government transparency initiatives, and his foreign policy approach toward key allies.
Still, analysts argue that winning Seoul would have provided the Democratic Party with a stronger mandate and additional momentum ahead of future elections.
Democratic Party Expands Parliamentary Strength
Despite the setback in Seoul, the ruling party achieved success in parliamentary by-elections held alongside the local contests. The Democratic Party increased its legislative advantage by winning nine of 14 by-election races.
The results strengthen Lee’s position in the National Assembly and could help his administration advance policy priorities more effectively. Political observers say gaining more allies at local government levels would further improve coordination between national and regional leadership.
Ballot Shortage Sparks Political Dispute
The election was not without controversy. Voting temporarily stopped at several polling stations in Seoul after election authorities reported shortages of ballot papers.
The incident quickly triggered accusations and political disagreements between the country’s two largest parties. PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok criticised the situation and questioned whether voters had been unfairly affected.
The Democratic Party rejected calls for a new election and dismissed concerns raised by conservatives. The dispute added another layer of tension to an already closely watched race.
South Korean Local Poll: Conservatives See Opportunity for Revival
The election results may also reshape South Korea’s conservative movement. The People Power Party has struggled with internal divisions since former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment and conviction over his controversial martial law declaration in late 2024.
One of the most notable victories came in Busan, where former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, now running as an independent, won a parliamentary by-election. “I’ll rebuild the conservatives, rein in the Lee Jae Myung government’s overreach and restore balance in the Republic of Korea,” Han said in a victory speech.
Han’s success has fueled speculation about the future leadership of South Korea’s conservative camp.
South Korean Local Elections LIVE Results: Election Results Could Shape Future Political Battles
Analysts believe the local election results will influence preparations for the 2028 parliamentary elections and future national contests. The Democratic Party remains the dominant political force nationally, but the Seoul mayoral outcome showed that conservatives still retain strong support in key areas.
Experts say the results offer both encouragement and warning signs for President Lee. His party expanded its influence across much of the country, yet the failure to win Seoul highlighted challenges that could become more significant in future elections.
As South Korea’s political landscape continues to evolve, both the ruling party and the opposition are likely to view these election results as a crucial test ahead of the next major electoral battles.
