Independent Han Dong-hoon and Yoon Ui-dong of the People Power Party Win Local Elections In the June 3 local by-elections, Yoon Ui-dong of the People Power Party and independent candidate Han Dong-hoon have secured their victories in Pyeongtaek and Busan North Gap, respectively. As of 3 a.m. on June 4, the National Election Commission reported that Han received 42.99% of the votes in the Busan North Gap parliamentary election, ensuring his entry into the National Assembly. Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo garnered 41.24%, while People Power Party candidate Park Min-sik received 15.79%, failing to secure a seat. Upon confirmation of his victory, Han expressed his gratitude, stating, "I sincerely thank the great citizens of Buk-gu for opening the path to a historic victory for the future of Buk-gu and the rebuilding of conservatism. I will fulfill the mission entrusted to me, prioritizing the citizens of Buk-gu, Busan, and the people of Korea." He added, "I will work towards the development of Buk-gu, the rebuilding of conservatism, and controlling the runaway government of Lee Jae-myung to restore balance in Korea." At the same time, Yoon confirmed his victory with 34.57% of the votes. Following him were Democratic Party candidate Kim Yong-nam with 28.93% and Cho Guk of the Justice Party with 27.44%, both of whom are projected to lose. After his victory was confirmed, Yoon stated at his campaign office in Pyeongtaek, "The nation is in a very difficult situation, and our party is also facing challenges. I believe there is a significant reason for the important mission entrusted to me during this tough time. I will take on this responsibility seriously and walk step by step according to the mandate given by the citizens." This victory marks Yoon's return to the National Assembly for a fourth term. Meanwhile, Cho, who faced defeat, acknowledged his shortcomings, saying, "This is all my inadequacy and my responsibility. I will humbly accept the results." He added, "I do not believe that this outcome reflects a failure of my personal vision or values that were projected onto me."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:33:00

Kim Nam-jun and Kim Nam-guk Win Seats in National Assembly Elections Kim Nam-jun of the Democratic Party has won the by-election in Incheon Gyeyang-eul, a district previously represented by President Lee Jae-myung. Additionally, Kim Nam-guk, who served as the president's digital communication secretary, has secured a victory in the Ansan-si Gap district of Gyeonggi Province. According to the National Election Commission, as of 3 a.m. on June 4, Kim Nam-jun had garnered 71.85% of the votes, solidifying his win. With a vote count of 36.30% completed, he significantly outpaced his competitors, including Shin Wang-seop of the People Power Party, who received 20.64%, and independent candidate Kim Hyun-tae, who obtained 7.50%. In his victory speech, Kim Nam-jun expressed gratitude to the residents, stating, "Many residents have shown their love for Gyeyang-eul and have actively supported me throughout the campaign. I felt that this strength has brought us to where we are today. I will gather your support to ensure that President Lee's promised pledges are fulfilled." Meanwhile, in the Ansan-si Gap by-election, with 82.70% of the votes counted, Kim Nam-guk has also confirmed his victory with 54.33% of the votes. His opponent, Kim Seok-hoon of the People Power Party, received 40.28%, while Moon In-soo of the Reform New Party garnered 5.38%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:18:00

Kim Sang-wook Wins Ulsan Mayor Election Amid Last-Minute Alliance Kim Sang-wook of the Democratic Party has secured his victory in the Ulsan mayoral election, attributed to the effects of a last-minute alliance with the Progressive Party. According to the vote count as of 2:55 a.m. on June 4, Kim defeated Kim Doo-gyeom of the People Power Party by a margin of approximately 4 percentage points. He becomes the first Democratic mayor of Ulsan in four years, following the term of former mayor Song Cheol-ho, who left office in 2022. After his victory was confirmed, Kim stated in interviews on June 3, "This is a stern mandate from citizens to no longer tolerate deception. It signifies a rejection of corruption and the entrenched power cartel." He emphasized his commitment to prioritizing citizen sovereignty and interests, pledging to build a Ulsan that adheres to fundamental principles. During the campaign, Kim faced conflicts regarding a polling process for the alliance with former Progressive Party candidate Kim Jong-hoon, particularly over provisions to prevent strategic voting. The two candidates ultimately reached a dramatic agreement on unification just before early voting. In contrast, Kim Doo-gyeom and independent candidate Park Maeng-woo failed to form an alliance, with Park receiving about 6% of the votes. 2026-06-04 03:15:00

Choo Kyung-ho Wins Daegu Mayoral Election, Vows to Revive Local Economy Choo Kyung-ho of the People Power Party has been elected as the mayor of Daegu, defeating Kim Boo-kyum of the Democratic Party. According to the National Election Commission, as of 2:51 a.m. on June 4, Choo had secured 481,418 votes, or 52.81%, leading Kim by a margin of 60,609 votes. Kim acknowledged his defeat around 2:30 a.m., expressing regret for not meeting expectations and congratulating Choo on his victory. Following Kim's concession, Choo returned to the election office to thank his supporters. He stated, "I bow my head in gratitude to the citizens who have opened a new future for Daegu with their great choice." Choo emphasized the significance of the election results, declaring, "The message is clear: I will respond to the citizens' stern command to revive the fallen Daegu economy and awaken its potential with tangible results." He also extended his condolences and gratitude to Kim, stating, "I will also respect the wishes of citizens who chose other candidates," and pledged to be a mayor focused solely on the development of Daegu. In conclusion, Choo affirmed, "I will steadfastly push forward with the overhaul of the Daegu economy, working diligently to revive it and awaken the city's potential."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:12:00

Election Results: Han Dong-hoon Wins, Jo Guk Loses in Local Elections Independent candidate Han Dong-hoon and Jo Guk of the Justice Party received mixed results in the June 3 local elections. Han secured a victory in the Busan Buk-gap by-election, marking a significant political comeback, while Jo's attempt to return to the National Assembly was unsuccessful, raising questions about their future political paths. As of 2 a.m. on June 4, the National Election Commission reported that Han won the Busan Buk-gap by-election with 42.99% of the vote. Upon confirmation of his victory, Han expressed gratitude to the citizens of Buk-gu, stating, "This historic victory opens the path for the future of Buk-gu and the rebuilding of conservatism. I will work to develop Buk-gu, restore conservatism, and control the runaway government of Lee Jae-myung to restore balance in South Korea." Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo received 41.24% of the votes, failing to secure a seat in the Assembly. At the same time, Jo received 27.44% of the votes in the Pyeongtaek-eul district, resulting in a defeat. In that district, Yoo Yi-dong of the People Power Party, a three-term incumbent, is projected to win with 34.59% of the vote. Jo's candidacy in Pyeongtaek-eul was part of a five-way race. Alongside Jo, candidates included Kim Jae-yeon of the Justice Party, Hwang Kyo-ahn of the Liberty and Innovation Party, Kim Yong-nam of the Democratic Party, and Yoo Yi-dong of the People Power Party. Discussions of a potential unification among candidates ultimately fell through. During a rally in Goddeok-dong the day before the election, Jo urged voters, saying, "Now, the voters, the citizens of Pyeongtaek, must unify through their votes. If you make me the overwhelming number one, I will lead the solidarity and integration of the entire democratic progressive camp with that strength," but it was not enough to secure a win. In Busan Buk-gap, Han faced off against political newcomer Ha Jung-woo, a former chief of AI at the Blue House, who ran as the Democratic Party candidate. During his final campaign rally, Ha stated, "Together with Jeon Jae-soo, I will lead the development of Busan. If the unbeatable fleet of Lee Jae-myung, Jeon Jae-soo, and Ha Jung-woo sets sail, Busan will grow beyond being Korea's second city to become the world's top maritime city." Leading up to the election, polls indicated a tight race, prompting intense scrutiny from both parties. The Democratic Party leadership held its first on-site meeting in Pyeongtaek-eul on the last day of early voting, targeting Jo with last-minute efforts to sway voters. Jo Seung-rae, the party's secretary-general, criticized Jo, stating, "A fake Democratic candidate is misleading people as if he were the real one. I urge you to vote for the real Democratic candidate, Kim Yong-nam." As Han's support surged, both parties ramped up their attacks. Jeong Cheong-rae, the Democratic Party leader, appeared on a news program on May 28, describing Han's rise as a "kind of optical illusion" and calling for caution. Park Min-sik, another candidate, dismissed Han's support, claiming, "There is a tremendous bubble that I feel almost daily." He criticized Han, saying, "He will use Buk-gu as a disposable fire starter for his political ambitions, regardless of conservatism." The implications of Han's victory and Jo's defeat are expected to shift the political landscape. Han has indicated plans to rejoin the People Power Party. In a press conference at his Busan campaign office on June 1, he stated, "I have lived a political life with waves, but I have never compromised my beliefs. I promised that I would return on the day I was unjustly expelled by the faction of Jang Dong-hyuk, and I will keep that promise." Conversely, Jo's loss raises uncertainties about the Justice Party's position in the Assembly. Jo had previously indicated plans to initiate discussions about merging with the Democratic Party. However, the Democratic Party has distanced itself from any connection between Jo's election outcome and a potential merger. Hwang Myung-seon, a senior member of the Democratic Party, stated during a meeting of the headquarters team on May 30, "As a member of the Supreme Council, I want to make it clear that I am not considering a merger between the Democratic Party and the Justice Party after the election."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:09:00

Lee Won-taek Secures Victory in Jeonbuk Governor Race, Defeating Kim Kwan-young Lee Won-taek of the Democratic Party has emerged victorious in the Jeonbuk gubernatorial race, defeating independent candidate Kim Kwan-young. The Democratic Party has successfully retained its stronghold in the region. As of 2:40 a.m., Lee was leading Kim by nearly 10 percentage points, with results indicating a clear path to victory. Upon confirming his win, Lee stated, "Today’s victory is not just mine, but a great win for the people of Jeonbuk who believe in the future of our province and in the Democratic Party and the Lee Jae-myung government." The election process saw tensions between the Democratic Party leadership and Kim, making Jeonbuk an unexpectedly competitive battleground. There were concerns that if Kim won reelection, it could jeopardize the party leadership. Previously, Kim was expelled from the Democratic Party over allegations of bribery, which he contested as a hasty decision by the leadership. Following his expulsion, Lee and lawmaker Ahn Ho-young competed in a primary, with Lee ultimately being selected as the candidate. However, Lee’s victory in the primary was also marred by controversy, as allegations surfaced regarding the party's fairness in the selection process, particularly concerning meal expenses during the campaign. Ahn, after Lee's nomination, demanded an investigation into these allegations and even staged a hunger strike, which led to him being hospitalized. With Lee's election, the government and the Democratic Party are expected to collaborate on the Saemangeum project, a major issue for the Jeonbuk region, potentially accelerating progress on this initiative.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:00:00

Lee Jin-sook Wins Daegu Dalseong District By-Election, Joins National Assembly Lee Jin-sook of the People Power Party has won the by-election for the Dalseong District in Daegu, successfully entering the National Assembly. In her victory speech, she stated, "As a member of the National Assembly chosen by the people of Dalseong, I will dedicate all my efforts to protecting a free Republic of Korea." According to the National Election Commission, Lee secured 62.91% of the votes, defeating Park Hyung-ryong of the Democratic Party, who garnered 37.08%. This by-election was necessitated by the candidacy of Choo Kyung-ho for the mayoral election in Daegu. A former MBC reporter, Lee previously served as the chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Although her tenure was interrupted by impeachment proceedings led by the Democratic Party, she returned to her position following a Constitutional Court ruling. Lee initially aimed to run for mayor of Daegu but was cut off during the party's nomination process. She later hinted at running as an independent but ultimately withdrew and was nominated unopposed for the Dalseong by-election. In her acceptance remarks, Lee expressed gratitude for the support she received during the campaign, saying, "I will not forget the heartfelt encouragement from the residents to 'move forward confidently without wavering.' I will do my utmost to achieve greater progress and development for Dalseong."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 02:57:00

Han Dong-hoon Wins Busan North District by-election, Aims to Restore Balance in South Korea Han Dong-hoon, an independent candidate, has won the by-election for the Busan North District seat in the National Assembly. According to the National Election Commission on June 4, Han secured his victory by a margin of 1,425 votes over Ha Jung-woo, the candidate from the Democratic Party. Upon confirmation of his election, Han expressed his gratitude, stating, "I sincerely thank the great citizens of Buk-gu for opening the path to a historic victory for the future of our district and the revival of conservatism." He pledged to prioritize the interests of Buk-gu residents, Busan citizens, and the people of South Korea in fulfilling his responsibilities. "I will focus on the development of Buk-gu, the rebuilding of conservatism, and controlling the runaway government of Lee Jae-myung to restore balance in South Korea," he vowed. Han also remarked, "I have realized how formidable and awe-inspiring public sentiment is. I will be a politician who listens to the people's voice." Regarding his plans to rejoin the People Power Party, he stated, "Specific plans are not important; I will keep my promise to return." He further addressed the leadership of Jang Dong-hyuk, asserting, "This election was not just about my evaluation. The urgent need for conservative revival is what the citizens have mandated us to achieve."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 02:45:00

Min Hyung-bae Elected as First Mayor of Integrated Jeonnam-Gwangju Min Hyung-bae of the Democratic Party has been elected as the first mayor of the Integrated Jeonnam-Gwangju. According to the National Election Commission, as of 2 a.m. on June 4, with 87.16% of the votes counted, Min secured 79.02% of the total votes. He decisively defeated Lee Jeong-hyun of the People Power Party, who received 11.58%, as well as Kang Eun-mi of the Justice Party with 3.92%, Lee Jong-wook of the Progressive Party with 3.72%, and independent candidate Kim Kwang-man, who garnered 1.74%. After the announcement of his election victory on June 3 at his campaign office in Seo-gu, Gwangju, Min expressed his gratitude, stating, "You have entrusted me with the significant responsibility of being the mayor of the Integrated Jeonnam-Gwangju. I sincerely thank you and will honor the choice of the citizens." He added, "We stand at the threshold of South Korea's first and only integrated special city. This is an opportunity for Jeonnam and Gwangju to unite and become a new growth axis for the country. Together with the citizens, we will pave this new path and demonstrate overwhelming growth led by the region." Min also emphasized his commitment to creating opportunities for growth, stating, "I will provide young people with the chance to dream in their hometowns, ensure reliable care for families raising children, and guarantee seniors access to nearby hospitals and a safe daily life." He concluded by pledging to establish a citizen-led government where administrative actions follow the decisions of the people.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 02:36:00

Song Young-gil Poised for Return to National Assembly After By-Election Victory Former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil is set to return to the National Assembly, with expectations of making a significant impact at the party's convention in August. As of 2 a.m. on June 4, Song is projected to win the by-election for the Incheon Yeonsu-gap district, leading by a substantial margin over his opponent, Park Jong-jin of the People Power Party. Upon confirming his likely victory, Song visited his campaign office and stated, "I will be a strong support for the Lee Jae-myung government," adding, "I will work hard to help the Democratic Party maintain its focus." He emphasized, "I take seriously the residents' demand for a politics that is evaluated based on ability and results. I will devote all my efforts to the development of Yeonsu." This marks Song's anticipated return to the National Assembly after resigning his seat in 2022 to run for mayor of Seoul. Should he return, he is expected to compete for party leadership against figures such as Jeong Cheong-rae and Kim Min-seok. During the election period, Song expressed his dissent against the party leadership's decisions and indicated he might enter the leadership race if called upon by party members. If elected, Song will achieve his sixth term in the National Assembly, joining fellow Democratic Party member Jo Jeong-sik, who has also been nominated as a candidate for National Assembly Speaker, as one of the longest-serving members in the party. Song has shifted from his previous constituency in Incheon Gyeyang-gu to run in Incheon Yeonsu-gap this time.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 02:24:00