Election Exit Polls Show Divergent Reactions from Parties The ruling and opposition parties reacted differently to the exit poll results from the June 3 local elections and National Assembly by-elections. The Democratic Party, confident in its victory, erupted in cheers, while the People Power Party expressed dismay at the anticipated losses. At 6 p.m., KBS, MBC, and SBS announced that the Democratic Party was projected to win in 11 regions (Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon, Ulsan, Gyeongnam, Daejeon, Sejong, Chungnam, Chungbuk, Jeonnam-Gwangju, and Jeju), while the People Power Party was expected to lead in only one area, Gyeongbuk. The remaining four regions (Busan, Daegu, Jeonbuk, and Gangwon) were predicted to be closely contested. According to JTBC's exit poll, the Democratic Party was leading in 10 areas (Seoul, Gyeonggi, Busan, Incheon, Jeonnam-Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan, Sejong, Gangwon, and Jeju), while the People Power Party was ahead in one area (Gyeongbuk). Five regions (Daegu, Gyeongnam, Jeonbuk, Chungnam, and Chungbuk) were considered competitive. In the cases of Busan Buk-gap and Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek, the results differed from the three major broadcasters' exit polls, with independent candidate Han Dong-hoon showing a significant lead in Buk-gap, while Democratic Party candidate Kim Yong-nam was projected to be in a tight race for first place in Pyeongtaek. In the counting room at the National Assembly, Democratic Party lawmakers and officials erupted in applause as they anticipated victories for candidates such as Jung Won-o, the candidate for Seoul mayor, and Choo Mi-ae, the candidate for Gyeonggi governor. However, leader Jung Cheong-rae maintained a calm demeanor, folding his hands and watching the broadcast before leaving the venue. Afterward, floor leader Han Byeong-do expressed his optimism in an interview with KBS, stating, "We view the results positively and encouragingly." Additionally, Lee Yeon-hee, the strategic planning committee chair, told reporters, "The public sentiment confirms a desire to support President Lee Jae-myung's stable governance." In contrast, a somber atmosphere enveloped the People Power Party's counting room in Yeouido. The leadership arrived later than expected due to a shortage of ballots in areas like Songpa. Floor leader Song Eon-seok strongly suggested that the announcement of the exit poll results should have been delayed. The silence among People Power Party members deepened as the exit poll results were announced. Even as regional results were released, there was little reaction. Leader Jang Dong-hyuk stared at the monitor displaying the exit poll results without speaking, while some members sighed. After 15 minutes of silence following the announcement, Jang left the venue without answering reporters' questions. In an interview with KBS, Song noted, "Of the 14 by-elections, there is only one seat that was previously held by our party. The electoral landscape is fundamentally unfavorable, but if we can secure even two seats, it will result in an increase in our representation." The Justice and Innovation Party celebrated as their candidate, Jo Guk, emerged as the frontrunner in the Pyeongtaek by-election. Seo Wang-jin, the floor leader, and Lee Hae-min, the secretary-general, were seen shedding tears of joy. Seo remarked in a KBS interview, "Jo has fought hard amid the competition between the two major parties, and I believe he has successfully created momentum despite the challenging circumstances."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-03 19:27:00

Weather Forecast: Cloudy Nationwide with Showers and Possible Hail On Thursday, June 4, the weather across the country is expected to be mostly cloudy, with showers likely in many areas from the afternoon to the evening. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, morning low temperatures will range from 17 to 21 degrees Celsius, while daytime highs are forecasted to reach between 22 and 30 degrees Celsius, indicating temperatures similar to or higher than the seasonal average. In Gangwon Province, northern Chungcheongbuk-do, northern inland Gyeongsangbuk-do, and the northeastern mountainous regions of Gyeongsangbuk-do, showers may continue until late at night. Expected rainfall amounts are between 5 and 60 mm in eastern Gyeonggi Province, inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon, northern Chungcheongbuk-do, and northern inland and northeastern mountainous areas of Gyeongsangbuk-do. In Seoul, Incheon, western Gyeonggi Province, Daejeon, Sejong, and inland Chungcheongnam-do, showers of 5 to 40 mm are anticipated. Further inland areas of Jeollabuk-do, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, central and southwestern inland Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do, and northwestern inland Gyeongsangnam-do are expected to receive 5 to 30 mm of rain, while the eastern coast of Gangwon and Jeju Island may see 5 to 20 mm. In regions experiencing showers, gusty winds, thunder, lightning, and hail may occur, so special attention should be paid to managing facilities and crops, as well as preventing safety accidents. Sea waves are expected to reach 0.5 to 1.0 meters in the East and South Seas, and 0.5 meters in the West Sea. In the offshore waters (about 200 km from the coastline), wave heights are forecasted to be between 0.5 and 2.0 meters in the East, West, and South Seas. Looking at the expected temperatures in major regions, morning lows are predicted to be: △Seoul 21°C △Incheon 19°C △Suwon 20°C △Chuncheon 19°C △Gangneung 19°C △Cheongju 21°C △Daejeon 19°C △Sejong 19°C △Jeonju 20°C △Gwangju 19°C △Daegu 19°C △Busan 20°C △Ulsan 19°C △Changwon 19°C △Jeju 20°C. Daytime highs are expected to be: △Seoul 27°C △Incheon 26°C △Suwon 28°C △Chuncheon 27°C △Gangneung 25°C △Cheongju 30°C △Daejeon 29°C △Sejong 29°C △Jeonju 30°C △Gwangju 27°C △Daegu 29°C △Busan 24°C △Ulsan 25°C △Changwon 25°C △Jeju 25°C.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-03 19:27:00

U.S.-South Korea Talks on Nuclear Submarines and Energy Cooperation Gain Momentum Discussions between the United States and South Korea regarding the acquisition of fuel for nuclear-powered submarines and uranium enrichment and reprocessing rights for civilian nuclear power plants are gaining significant momentum. The U.S. side has expressed agreement on the need for prompt results, marking a shift in the follow-up talks that had been delayed for several months since the leaders' agreement last October. However, domestic political conditions in the U.S. and trade issues are expected to be key variables in future negotiations. On June 3, delegations from both countries continued discussions at the Foreign Ministry headquarters on security cooperation issues, including the construction of nuclear-powered submarines and the acquisition of uranium enrichment and reprocessing rights. The Foreign Ministry stated, "Both sides have agreed to establish a performance review system throughout the year to achieve substantial results quickly and to accelerate future discussions." They discussed a general timeline for these talks, with plans for a second meeting as early as next month in Washington, D.C. The focus of these discussions appears to be on amending the existing South Korea-U.S. Nuclear Cooperation Agreement to grant South Korea enrichment and reprocessing rights. Currently, South Korea can only enrich and reprocess uranium below 20% with written consent from the U.S. In contrast, Japan requires U.S. consent only when enriching above 20%. The government is reportedly exploring ways to secure broader rights without repeating the lengthy five-year process of comprehensive amendments that occurred from 2010 to 2015, considering partial amendments or separate agreements to expedite the process. Additionally, they are advocating that establishing a trans-Pacific nuclear fuel supply chain would benefit U.S. energy security. Regarding nuclear submarines, key cooperation issues related to nuclear fuel supply were discussed. The government plans to develop its own reactor and propulsion system while sourcing low-enriched uranium fuel exclusively from the U.S. To receive military-grade nuclear submarine fuel, a separate agreement beyond the existing civilian nuclear cooperation agreement will be necessary. Experts view the AUKUS agreement, established between Australia, the U.S., and the U.K. in 2024, as a relevant reference point. Currently, the government is acutely aware of the importance of time. There is a sense of urgency to advance the agreement to a point of no return while Donald Trump maintains control over domestic policy. Since this agreement stems from Trump's personal decision, it could lose momentum if the Republican Party loses congressional power in the November midterm elections or if his term ends. Future negotiations are likely to be influenced by trade issues and concerns about non-proliferation. The postponement of security discussions this month was partly due to South Korea's investment pace in the U.S. and American dissatisfaction with the Coupang data breach incident. Additionally, due to U.S. concerns that South Korea could develop nuclear weapons, strong demands for stringent nuclear material controls and information security measures, similar to those in the AUKUS agreement, are expected to follow.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-03 19:24:00

Conflicting Exit Polls Create Uncertainty in Local Elections The release of exit polls for the June 3 local elections has left both lawmakers and voters in a state of confusion. This is due to conflicting results from a joint exit poll conducted by three major broadcasters (KBS, MBC, SBS) and a prediction poll by JTBC, which presented differing outcomes. In some regions, the discrepancies were significant, while in others, the forecasts for winners and losers varied widely. Even before the counting began, reactions poured in questioning which poll results to trust. According to the exit poll from the three broadcasters, the Democratic Party appears to be on track for a significant victory. In the Seoul mayoral race, candidate Jeong Won-o received 51.4%, leading Oh Se-hoon, who garnered 46.0%, by 5.4 percentage points. In the Gyeonggi governor's race, candidate Choo Mi-ae recorded 60.4%, significantly ahead of Yang Hyang-ja, who received 34.1%. In the Incheon mayoral election, Park Chan-dae was projected to win with 53.7%, compared to Yoo Jeong-bok's 45.5%. In Busan, candidate Jeon Jae-soo was expected to win with 50.2% against Park Hyung-joon, who had 48.3%. The races for mayor in Ulsan and governor in Gyeongnam were also projected to be won by candidates Kim Sang-wook and Kim Kyung-soo, respectively. Based solely on the broadcasters' exit poll results, the Democratic Party is interpreted as having a strong hold on the metropolitan area, as well as achieving significant results in the so-called PK region of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam. Some analysts even suggest that the party has gained a favorable position in this nationwide election. However, the JTBC prediction poll tells a different story. While the Democratic Party maintained a leading trend in the Seoul, Busan, Incheon, and Gyeonggi races, JTBC classified five regions—Chungbuk, Chungnam, Gyeongnam, Jeonbuk, and Daegu—as competitive. Regions where the broadcasters indicated a clear advantage for the Democratic Party were still considered toss-ups by JTBC. For instance, in the Chungbuk gubernatorial race, the broadcasters projected Shin Yong-han to lead Kim Young-hwan by 12.4 percentage points, while JTBC viewed it as a competitive race with only a 4.4-point margin. Similarly, in the Gyeongnam gubernatorial race, the broadcasters predicted Kim Kyung-soo would lead by 8.6 points, but JTBC classified it as a close contest with just a 4.6-point difference. The gubernatorial race in Gangwon also showed a significant difference. The broadcasters estimated a 2.6-point gap between Woo Sang-ho and Kim Jin-tae, while JTBC projected a 13.8-point difference. The Seoul mayoral race also exhibited a gap of over 5 percentage points between the two polls. The most striking divergence was seen in the by-election for the Busan North Gap National Assembly seat. The broadcasters reported Ha Jung-woo leading with 42.6% over Han Dong-hoon, who had 41.6%. However, JTBC predicted Han would win with 48.1% to Ha's 37.6%, flipping the expected outcome beyond mere margins of error. In the Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek election, the broadcasters indicated a tight race among candidates Jo Guk, Yoo Yi-dong, and Kim Yong-nam, each around 30%. In contrast, JTBC forecasted Kim Yong-nam as the frontrunner. As a result, the political atmosphere remains cautious, with parties hesitant to declare victory or concede defeat immediately following the exit poll announcements. The Democratic Party may interpret the broadcasters' results as evidence of expanded influence in the metropolitan and Chungcheong regions, as well as parts of the PK area. Conversely, the People Power Party is focusing on the fact that many regions remain competitive according to the JTBC poll, raising hopes for a potential turnaround. Particularly, Daegu, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Gyeongnam, and Jeonbuk are seen as key areas for assessing future electoral dynamics. While the broadcasters show a strong trend favoring the Democratic Party, the JTBC results suggest that it is difficult to predict outcomes until the counting is complete. This discrepancy in interpretations of the same election is why the political landscape remains divided. Ultimately, the final answers will come from the counting results. While exit polls are important indicators of public sentiment, it is rare for major broadcasters' predictions to diverge so significantly. This local election is likely to be remembered not only for the candidates' victories and defeats but also for the accuracy of the exit polling organizations' forecasts. 2026-06-03 19:24:00

Voting Paper Shortage in Seoul's Gangnam, Songpa, and Gwangjin Districts During the local elections on June 3, some voters were turned away due to a shortage of ballots at polling stations. The National Election Commission responded by sending additional ballots and allowing voters waiting in line to cast their votes after the official closing time. However, the People Power Party expressed strong opposition to the situation. On June 3, Jeong Hee-yong, the party's secretary-general, stated at the party headquarters in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, "The occurrence of voters being unable to vote due to a shortage of ballots goes beyond mere preparation issues; it is a dereliction of election management duties. We cannot contain our dismay." He further emphasized, "The cause of this incident must be clearly explained to the public. The People Power Party will not overlook the previous controversy over ballot transparency and the current shortage of ballots." The People Power Party's Seoul chapter confirmed that there was a shortage of ballots at several polling stations in Gangnam, Songpa, and Gwangjin districts. While the Election Commission hurriedly dispatched additional ballots, some voters chose to leave without voting. Bae Hyun-jin, chair of the Seoul chapter, criticized the situation, stating, "This is not just a simple mistake; it demonstrates a complete breakdown of the basic election management system and undermines the foundations of democracy." Given that the ballot shortage occurred in areas traditionally supportive of the People Power Party, the implications of this incident are expected to be significant. In response, Shin Dong-wook, chair of the Fair Election Assurance Committee, visited the National Election Commission in the evening to lodge a protest.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-03 19:15:00

Korean Party Criticizes Voting Paper Shortages During Local Elections The People Power Party criticized the Election Commission on June 3 for ballot shortages at several polling stations during the local elections, demanding an investigation into the matter. According to Yonhap News, Jeong Hee-yong, head of the party's election campaign committee, made an urgent statement at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, calling the incident "a shocking event that should not happen in the voting process of 2026 South Korea." He criticized the Election Commission for failing in its duties, stating, "The occurrence of voters being unable to cast their ballots due to a shortage of voting papers is a disgraceful level of negligence." Jeong also demanded swift action to ensure that those who could not vote are allowed to do so and insisted that the causes of the incident be clearly explained to the public. Song Eon-seok, co-chair of the campaign committee, stated in an urgent statement, "We will pursue a thorough investigation into this matter immediately after the election concludes and hold those responsible accountable." He strongly urged that citizens who waited past the voting deadline be guaranteed their right to vote. Bae Hyun-jin, chair of the Seoul City Party, also criticized the ballot shortage at a press conference, saying, "This issue undermines the foundations of democracy." He emphasized that it is not merely a simple mistake but evidence of a breakdown in the election management system. Bae noted that the Central Election Commission's response, attributing the issue to increased voter turnout, was inadequate, and he vowed to investigate whether the election management's negligence infringed upon citizens' rights. According to the People Power Party's own tally, as of 6 p.m. on June 3, ballot shortages were reported at 12 polling stations, including the fourth polling station in Munjeong 1-dong and the second polling station in Munjeong 2-dong in Songpa-gu, the sixth polling station in Jamsil 2-dong, the second polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, the fifth polling station in Jamsil 4-dong, the third and seventh polling stations in Garak 2-dong, the fifth polling station in Wirye-dong, as well as the fourth polling station in Cheongdam-dong in Gangnam-gu, the second polling station in Gaepo 2-dong, the sixth polling station in Guui 3-dong in Gwangjin-gu, and the seventh polling station in Noryangjin 1-dong in Dongjak-gu. Reports of related video evidence from each polling station have been received, and the party is demanding a thorough explanation from the Central Election Commission along with measures to prevent a recurrence.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-03 19:12:00

Choi's Party Confident in Pyeongtaek Election Lead, Choi Urges Patience The Choi Innovation Party expressed confidence in the lead of candidate Choi in the Pyeongtaek by-election, stating, "We have no doubt he will win." However, Choi himself urged caution, saying, "Let’s wait calmly until the final results are announced." At around 6 p.m. on June 3, the exit polls from three major broadcasters (KBS, MBC, SBS) indicated that Choi was leading in Pyeongtaek, prompting cheers from supporters. Seo Wang-jin, the party's floor leader, and Lee Hae-min, the secretary-general, were seen wiping away tears of joy. After the exit poll results were released, Choi met with supporters at his campaign office, expressing gratitude for their efforts: "You have worked hard for a long time. Thank you." However, Choi cautioned, "While the exit poll results are out, it doesn’t seem like the time to celebrate yet. We need to wait calmly and patiently. I appreciate your support and ask you to wait until the final results come in." In an interview with KBS, Seo remarked, "Choi has been competing fiercely between the two major parties. It has been a challenging situation, but I believe he has created a strong momentum for victory at the end. Although we are in a competitive situation now, I have no doubt we will ultimately win."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-03 19:12:00

Korean Pharmaceutical Companies Shift Focus to Direct Sales and Distribution Networks Korean pharmaceutical companies are moving beyond simply expanding overseas sales to securing control over sales in foreign markets. They are not only exporting products but also establishing local distribution networks and sales organizations. This shift is seen as an attempt to change their revenue structure, as growth potential is limited in the domestic market, which is characterized by price reductions and intense generic competition. According to a report from the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, the global pharmaceutical market is expected to grow from $1.67 trillion in 2024 to over $3 trillion by 2034. In contrast, South Korea accounts for only 1.7% of the global pharmaceutical market revenue. The United States holds 47.8%, the five major European countries account for 14.4%, and China and Japan represent 6.8% and 3.7%, respectively, highlighting a significant disparity. Expanding into international markets has become a common goal for domestic pharmaceutical companies. However, recent trends indicate that the ability to secure sales leadership in foreign markets is becoming a key competitive factor, rather than just the volume of exports. As distribution layers increase, companies face constraints on pricing strategies and market responsiveness. More companies are entering markets directly to secure leadership. GC Green Cross invested 138 billion won in 2024 to acquire full ownership of ABO Holdings, a local blood bank operator in the United States, to expand its local business from raw plasma procurement to finished product sales. The blood product 'Aliglo,' which entered the U.S. market, recorded sales of 34.9 billion won in the first quarter of this year, marking a nearly fourfold increase compared to the same period last year. Annual sales are projected to rise from 48.6 billion won in 2024 to 151.1 billion won last year. The company aims to achieve $1 billion in sales in the U.S. market by 2035, with Aliglo being a core growth driver. Celltrion established direct sales systems in Europe in 2020 and in the United States in 2023, expanding its sales network centered on local subsidiaries. In the U.S., the company has integrated production, supply, and direct sales distribution networks, enhancing its pricing competitiveness and negotiation power with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). With the direct sales system firmly in place, key products like Uplizna, Vegzelma, and Truxima have achieved the top prescription status in both European and U.S. markets. SK Biopharm successfully established direct sales in the U.S. with its self-developed epilepsy treatment 'Xcopri.' This marks the first instance of a Korean pharmaceutical company building a direct sales system in the U.S. based on its own new drug. The company believes that efficient market penetration is possible even with a limited workforce, prompting its decision to pursue direct sales. An SK Biopharm official stated, "The starting point for our direct sales success was the selection of the disease. We determined that central nervous system (CNS) disorders could be efficiently commercialized with a specialized sales team of about 80 to 120 people, compared to chronic diseases." The strategy for securing sales leadership is not limited to direct sales. Vietnam is noted for its strong pharmacy-centered distribution structure. Dongwha Pharmaceutical acquired a 51% stake in the Vietnamese pharmacy chain Trung Son Pharma for approximately 39.1 billion won in 2023, aiming to secure local sales channels. This approach focuses on establishing distribution networks rather than merely exporting products. The pharmaceutical market in emerging countries places significant importance on brand recognition, making it difficult for latecomers to disrupt market share once an initial foothold is established. The company plans to use its position in the Vietnamese pharmaceutical market as a springboard to expand into the Southeast Asian pharmaceutical and beauty markets. A Dongwha Pharmaceutical official remarked, "Many companies start their overseas expansion with quick and low-cost product exports. We decided to acquire the Vietnamese pharmacy chain to build direct relationships and trust with local consumers." An industry insider noted, "Pharmaceuticals face varying insurance systems and regulations in each country, making it challenging to establish local sales networks. While the initial investment burden is significant, it is meaningful as it allows for securing market leadership after establishing a presence."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-03 19:03:00

Korean Pharmaceutical Industry Shifts to Export-Driven Growth Amid Domestic Challenges The Korean pharmaceutical industry is facing limits to its domestic growth and is rapidly transitioning to an export-driven model. With ongoing price reductions and market stagnation making it difficult to expand domestic sales, the performance of companies is increasingly reliant on global drug sales and royalties.According to industry reports, the first quarter of this year saw mixed results for pharmaceutical companies, with those heavily reliant on exports showing significant improvements, while companies focused on domestic markets struggled to grow. However, the domestic market has structurally limited growth potential. The government's ongoing price reduction policies and intensified competition in generics are making it increasingly difficult to secure profitability. There is a growing recognition in the industry that the existing domestic and wholesale-centered structure cannot sustain long-term growth.In this context, success in the global market and royalty income have become the core pillars of performance. Yuhan Corporation has seen significant profitability improvements from overseas sales and royalties of its non-small cell lung cancer treatment, Lurbinectedin. GC Pharma is accelerating its expansion in North America with its immunoglobulin product, Aliglo. SK Biopharm is transforming its performance structure with the U.S. sales growth of its epilepsy drug, Cenobamate, while HK inno.N continues its stable growth thanks to the overseas expansion of its gastroesophageal reflux disease treatment, K-Cab.Yuhan Corporation expects to surpass 100 billion won in annual operating profit as milestone payments and royalties from Lurbinectedin's technology transfer begin to materialize. GC Pharma anticipates approximately $300 million in sales by 2028 based on the growth of Aliglo in the U.S. SK Biopharm's Cenobamate generates annual sales of $400 million to $600 million in the U.S., with first-quarter sales this year reaching 197.7 billion won, a 48.4% increase from the same period last year. HK inno.N recorded 58.5 billion won in prescriptions for K-Cab in the first quarter, raising expectations for overseas expansion.The high exchange rate environment is particularly favorable for export-oriented companies. While the cost burden increases due to the import structure of raw pharmaceuticals, dollar-based sales offset this, leading to overall profitability improvements. Consequently, companies with a higher proportion of sales in advanced markets like the U.S. and Europe are benefiting relatively more.Ultimately, the competitive landscape of the domestic pharmaceutical industry is rapidly shifting from a domestic focus to an export-driven model. The business focus is moving beyond simple finished drug sales to include global drug commercialization, technology transfers, contract development and manufacturing (CDMO), and biosimilars.An industry insider stated, "The domestic prescription market is primarily serving as a basic revenue base, while actual growth and profitability are now determined overseas. The restructuring will accelerate around companies that secure new drugs and business models that can succeed in the global market."However, there are also concerns about the limitations of the current export-focused growth strategy. According to a report by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, there have been over ten instances of technology transfers exceeding 1 trillion won from 2012 to 2024. While achievements are increasing, the industry is still criticized for not breaking free from a revenue structure dependent on global pharmaceutical companies.As a result, there is a growing call for stronger collaboration models between large domestic pharmaceutical companies and bio ventures. Bio ventures possess innovative technologies and early research capabilities, while large pharmaceutical companies have strengths in clinical development, approval, production, and distribution, allowing for mutually beneficial synergies.An industry representative remarked, "The industry will accelerate its restructuring around companies that not only transfer technology but also possess their own commercialization capabilities and global pipelines. A well-defined strategy is also required to build a collaborative ecosystem between large pharmaceutical companies and bio ventures."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-03 19:03:00

Ruling party leads in South Korean local election exit polls SEOUL, June 03 (AJP) -South Korea's ruling Democratic Party of Korea holds a strong lead in 11 out of 16 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial races, according to joint election-day exit polls released Wednesday. The projected outcomes position the party to expand its local administrative power as President Lee Jae-myung enters the second year of his term. The nationwide vote serves as the first major electoral test for the Lee Jae Myung administration, a critical midterm referendum on his first year in office. A decisive victory would grant the ruling party a unified mandate across administrative, legislative, and local levels, while a defeat for the opposition People Power Party could trigger immediate leadership restructuring. In the high-profile race for mayor of Seoul, the country's capital and primary political barometer, ruling party candidate Jung Won-oh leads opposition incumbent Oh Se-hoon by 51.4 percent to 46.0 percent. Control of the capital is historically viewed as a critical prize in South Korean elections due to the city's massive population and economic influence. Broadcasters classified several major regions as tight contests, including the southern port city of Busan and the metropolitan city of Daegu, which is traditionally regarded as the heart of South Korean conservatism. In the Daegu mayoral race, opposition candidate Choo Kyung-ho holds a razor-thin lead over ruling party candidate Kim Boo-kyum by 49.9 percent to 49.1 percent. In Busan, the ruling party's Jeon Jae-su maintains a narrow edge with 50.2 percent over the opposition's Park Hyung-jun at 48.3 percent. Meanwhile, the North Jeolla gubernatorial race shows the ruling party's Lee Won-taek leading independent candidate Kim Kwan-young by 48.5 percent to 46.3 percent. A separate prediction survey released by cable network JTBC projected the ruling Democratic Party of Korea to win 10 seats and the conservative opposition to win one seat. The network classified five regions as battlegrounds, listing Daegu, Chungnam, Chungbuk, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongnam as too close to call. The joint exit polls, conducted by major terrestrial broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS, were released simultaneously at 6 p.m. as polling stations closed across South Korea. 2026-06-03 19:00:17