June 3 Local Election Matchups Finalized: Defense vs. Reclaim

30 Days Until Nationwide Local Elections
Key Battlegrounds: Seoul and Yeongnam Region

With 30 days remaining until the 9th nationwide local elections on June 3, the matchups for the heads of all 16 metropolitan and provincial governments across the country have been finalized. As the election serves as a mid-term evaluation of the Lee Jaemyung administration, which marks its first anniversary, and the leadership of both major parties, Seoul and the Yeongnam region have emerged as the most fiercely contested battlegrounds.

In Seoul, Jeong Wonoh of the Democratic Party, known as the so-called ‘Myeong-pick,’ will go head-to-head with Oh Sehoon of the People Power Party, who is aiming to become the city’s first five-term mayor. Jeong’s campaign is focusing on reclaiming control of the city, citing high work performance evaluations and the approval ratings of the government and ruling party. The People Power Party, meanwhile, is seeking to hold onto its position by appealing to public sentiment on real estate.

The outcomes of the five metropolitan government races in the Yeongnam region are also drawing attention. The Democratic Party is concentrating heavyweight candidates such as Kim Bu-gyeom (Daegu), Jeon Jaesoo (Busan), and Kim Kyungsoo (Gyeongnam) to rebuild its foothold in the region, while party leader Jeong Cheongrae and others are out on the campaign trail daily to drum up votes. The Democratic Party leadership has set a goal of winning at least two seats in Yeongnam.

The People Power Party is working to rally its support base to defend Yeongnam, the heartland of Korean conservatism. Daegu mayoral candidate Chu Kyungho and North Gyeongsang governor candidate Lee Cheolwoo plan to visit former President Park Geun-hye, who currently resides in Dalseong, Daegu, later today—a move aimed at consolidating the traditional conservative vote. Appearing on CBS’s Park Seongtae’s News Show, Chu stated, “As a unified front is now being formed, it has become possible to wage an election of conservative unity,” adding, “I feel that support is rapidly consolidating.”

In Gyeonggi Province, Choo Mi-ae, a six-term senior lawmaker from the Democratic Party, will face off against Yang Hyangja of the People Power Party, who is known as Samsung Electronics’ first female executive hired from a high school background. With both candidates being women, the possibility of Yang uniting with Jo Eungcheon, the candidate from the Reform Party, remains a variable. For Incheon mayor, Park Chandae of the Democratic Party—who has worked closely with President Lee Jaemyung as both party leader and floor leader—will compete against Yoo Jeongbok of the People Power Party, renowned as an administrative expert.

The competition in the “central belt” is also fierce. In Daejeon, Heo Taejeong (Democratic Party) and Lee Jangwoo (People Power Party) are facing off; in South Chungcheong, Park Suhyeon and Kim Taeheum; in North Chungcheong, Shin Yonghan and Kim Younghwan; in Sejong, Jo Sangho and Choi Minho; and in Gangwon, Woo Sangho and Kim Jintae are all going head-to-head.

However, the race has not been finalized in all regions. In Jeonbuk, a traditional stronghold of the ruling party, Governor Kim Kwan-young is reportedly weighing an independent bid. In other areas as well, the political landscape may shift depending on whether major candidates choose to run as independents or merge their candidacies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.