Exit Poll: Democratic Party Leads in 11 Regions, People Power Party in 1... Close Races in Busan, Daegu, Gangwon, and Jeonbuk (Update)

Exit Poll Results Announced by Three Major Broadcasters at 6:00 p.m.

Democratic Party Leads in 11 out of 16 Metropolitan Races... 4 Regions Remain Neck and Neck

According to the joint exit poll results by the three major broadcasters (KBS, MBC, SBS) for the June 3 nationwide local elections, the Democratic Party of Korea is leading in 11 out of 16 metropolitan mayoral and provincial governor races across the country. The People Power Party is ahead in one area, while four regions—Busan, Daegu, Gangwon, and North Jeolla—are showing neck-and-neck races within the margin of error.

The three broadcasters announced these exit poll results immediately after voting ended at 6 p.m. on June 3, 2026.

Jung Cheong-rae, the Senior Co-Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, along with the party leadership, are watching the exit poll announcement broadcast on June 3 at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. 2026.6.3 Photo by Hyunmin Kim

In the Seoul mayoral election, Democratic Party candidate Jung Wonoh recorded 51.4%, while People Power Party candidate Oh Sehoon received 46.0%, indicating a clear lead outside the margin of error.

In the Gyeonggi provincial governor election, Democratic Party candidate Choo Mi-ae led with 60.4%, significantly ahead of People Power Party candidate Yang Hyangja at 34.1%. For the Incheon mayoral race, Democratic Party candidate Park Chan-dae was at 53.7%, with People Power Party candidate Yoo Jeongbok at 45.5%.

In the Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang regions, which both the Democratic Party and People Power Party considered key battlegrounds, Busan showed a close race. For Busan mayor, Democratic Party candidate Jeon Jae-soo recorded 50.2%, while People Power Party candidate Park Hyungjoon was at 48.3%.

In the Ulsan mayoral election, Democratic Party candidate Kim Sangwook received 52.8% and People Power Party candidate Kim Doo-gyeom 43.2%. In the South Gyeongsang governor election, Democratic Party candidate Kim Kyungsoo had 54.3%, with People Power Party candidate Park Wansu at 45.7%.

The Daegu mayoral election, expected to be extremely close, showed People Power Party candidate Chu Kyungho at 49.9% and Democratic Party candidate Kim Boo-kyum at 49.1%, indicating a tight race within the margin of error.

For the North Gyeongsang governor race, People Power Party candidate Lee Cheolwoo was projected to lead with 69.7%, far ahead of Democratic Party candidate Oh Jungki at 30.3%.

Jang Donghyuk, Standing Election Countermeasures Committee Chair of the People Power Party, Song Eonseok, Co-Chair of the Election Countermeasures Committee, and other co-chairs are reviewing the results of the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections and the June 3rd by-elections for the National Assembly at the vote counting situation room set up at the Yeouido party headquarters in Seoul on June 3, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The North Jeolla governor race, which drew attention as the incumbent governor ran as an independent, showed Democratic Party candidate Lee Wontak at 48.5% and independent candidate Kim Kwanyoung at 46.3%, indicating a close contest within the margin of error.

In the first election for the integrated mayor of South Jeolla-Gwangju Metropolitan City, Democratic Party candidate Min Hyungbae recorded 78.6%, far ahead of People Power Party candidate Lee Junghyun at 12.8%.

The Gangwon provincial governor race, which the People Power Party classified as competitive until the end, had Democratic Party candidate Woo Sangho at 51.3% and People Power Party candidate Kim Jin-tae at 48.7%, suggesting a close contest.

In the South Chungcheong governor election, Democratic Party candidate Park Soo-hyun received 52.1%, while People Power Party candidate Kim Tae-heum had 47.9%. In the North Chungcheong governor election, Democratic Party candidate Shin Yonghan led with 56.2% against People Power Party candidate Kim Younghwan at 43.8%.

In the Daejeon mayoral race, Democratic Party candidate Heo Tae-jung recorded 55.9%, while People Power Party candidate Lee Jangwoo received 42.9%. In the Sejong mayoral election, Democratic Party candidate Cho Sangho was at 64.3%, compared to People Power Party candidate Choi Minho at 32.9%.

For the Jeju governor election, Democratic Party candidate Wi Seonggon was projected to lead with 62.2% over People Power Party candidate Moon Seongyu at 34.9%.

Meanwhile, this exit poll was conducted by the three broadcasters, who commissioned Hankook Research, Ipsos, and Korea Research International. It was carried out on June 3, 2026, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., surveying 108,728 voters at 615 polling stations nationwide.

Every fifth voter exiting the polling stations was surveyed, with the interval adjusted as needed. The poll has a 95% confidence level, with a margin of error ranging from ±1.7 percentage points to ±4.1 percentage points.

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