Election Commission Addresses Ballot Shortage During Local Elections The National Election Commission (NEC) acknowledged on June 4 that a shortage of ballots occurred during the 9th nationwide local elections, stating, "We take responsibility," but emphasized that this does not warrant a postponement or a re-election. In a statement released early that day, the NEC apologized for the confusion and inconvenience caused to voters at some polling stations on June 3 due to the lack of ballots. "We deeply regret the disruption to the exercise of voting rights for citizens who took the time to visit polling stations," the commission said. The NEC expressed its profound responsibility, noting, "Despite the efforts of each voter to participate in democracy, the commission's oversight led to significant disappointment and concern for those who came to cast their votes." However, the NEC asserted that the ballot shortage at some polling stations on election day does not qualify as grounds for postponing the election or calling for a re-election under the Public Official Election Act. They stated that halting the ongoing vote counting is not permissible, and the ballots from the affected polling stations must be transported to the counting center to confirm the voters' intentions. The commission also committed to making every effort to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and to implement measures to prevent its recurrence once the counting is completed. They reiterated their apology for failing to ensure a smooth exercise of voting rights and promised to provide the public with detailed information regarding the causes and solutions to prevent such issues in the future. Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, visited the NEC to protest the ballot shortage. Speaking to reporters, he stated, "We strongly demanded a halt to the counting process, but the NEC did not accept our request," asserting, "This election is unacceptable." Jang claimed, "The citizens' voting rights have been infringed upon, and this election is severely compromised," expressing strong regret over the NEC's decision and vowing to fight alongside the public until the issue is resolved.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 04:39:00

Lee Kwang-jae Wins By-Election in Gyeonggi's Hanam Gap, Returns to National Assembly In the Gyeonggi Hanam Gap by-election held on June 3, Lee Kwang-jae of the Democratic Party was elected, securing his return to the National Assembly. In his victory speech, he stated, "I will make Hanam the most livable, healthy, and happy city in South Korea," adding, "I am committed to making it the best city." According to the National Election Commission on June 4, with 98.59% of the votes counted as of 3 a.m., Lee received 49.89% (43,793 votes), surpassing Lee Yong, the candidate from the People Power Party, who garnered 47.90% (42,042 votes), and Kim Sung-yeol from the Reform Party, who received 2.19% (1,929 votes). This district was previously represented by Choo Mi-ae, the Democratic Party candidate for Gyeonggi governor, necessitating the by-election due to her candidacy. Lee entered politics as a secretary to the late former President Roh Moo-hyun and was elected governor of Gangwon Province in 2010. However, he lost his governorship due to a political funding scandal. After receiving a special pardon in 2019, he returned to politics in 2020. With this by-election victory, he will serve in the National Assembly for the fourth time, following his previous terms in the 17th, 18th, and 21st National Assembly elections. Notably, Lee is regarded as a key ally of former President Roh and is considered a 'founding member' of the pro-Roh faction. In his remarks after the election, Lee expressed his commitment to demonstrating tangible results for Hanam's development, stating, "I will become a politician rooted in Hanam, one that the citizens can be proud of." 2026-06-04 04:36:00

Woo Sang-ho Likely Wins Gangwon Governor Race as Kim Jin-tae Concedes Woo Sang-ho, the Democratic Party candidate for Gangwon Governor, is likely to win the June 3 local elections, with Kim Jin-tae of the People Power Party conceding the race. As of 4:15 a.m. on June 4, with over 90% of the votes counted, Woo is leading Kim by more than 20,000 votes. During the campaign, Woo emphasized that he was the candidate chosen by President Lee Jae-myung, appealing for support. Despite facing criticism during a TV debate for not being well-acquainted with Gangwon, he gained momentum thanks to the stability narrative surrounding the Lee Jae-myung administration. With his victory appearing imminent, Woo stated, "I will implement the plans I have envisioned for a transformative change in Gangwon one by one." He added, "I will work with a spirit of unity, even with those who did not support me, and I will walk steadily for the people of Gangwon." As Kim's defeat became apparent, he released a statement saying, "I humbly accept the choice of the people of Gangwon. I will never forget the warmth of the residents who supported me during the campaign." Woo, a four-term lawmaker from Cheorwon, has previously served as the first Chief of Staff to President Lee Jae-myung.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 04:24:00

Han Dong-hoon Wins Seat in National Assembly Amid Local Elections In the by-elections held alongside the June 3 local elections, the Democratic Party is projected to win between 9 and 11 of the 14 contested seats. As of 4 a.m. on June 4, the Democratic Party has secured a strong position in 8 districts, while the People Power Party has confirmed victory in only 2. The most closely watched district, Busan Buk-gap, saw independent candidate Han Dong-hoon claim victory, while Yoo Yi-dong of the People Power Party was confirmed as the winner in Pyeongtaek. After his victory, Han expressed gratitude, stating, "I thank the great citizens who have opened the path to the future and reconstruction of Buk-gu with this historic victory," adding that he would take the meaning of their choice seriously in contributing to the development and reconstruction of politics in South Korea. Yoo Yi-dong also commented on his win, saying, "This was a very challenging election. There must be a reason why the citizens entrusted me with this significant responsibility during difficult times," and pledged to accept his duties with seriousness and follow through on his commitments. In contrast, Democratic Party candidate Kim Yong-nam and Justice Party candidate Cho Guk, who competed against Yoo, faced defeat after failing to unify their campaigns. Additionally, the Democratic Party reported victories in districts including Ansan Gap (Kim Nam-kuk), Hanam Gap (Lee Kwang-jae), Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan (Park Ji-won), Gwangju Gwangsan (Lim Mun-young), and Seogwipo, Jeju (Kim Seong-beom). They are also likely to win in Incheon Gyeyang (Kim Nam-jun), Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan Gap (Kim Ui-gyeom), and Incheon Yeonsu Gap (Song Young-gil). The People Power Party's Lee Jin-sook has confirmed her entry into the National Assembly from the Daegu Dalseong district. Meanwhile, in districts such as Asan in Chungnam, Ulsan Nam-gap, and Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang in Chungnam, counting is still ongoing, with no clear frontrunners emerging. Currently, the People Power Party leads in 2 of these districts, while the Democratic Party is ahead in 1. Once the counting is completed, it is expected that the Democratic Party will gain between 9 and 11 seats, while the People Power Party will increase its count by 2 to 4 seats. The People Power Party has managed to increase its number of seats despite one resignation due to local election candidacy. However, it still falls short of securing the 120 seats needed to effectively block unlimited debates or expedite legislative processes, indicating continued challenges in the relationship between the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 04:06:00

Voter Turnout Reaches 61% in Local Elections, Second Highest in History The voter turnout for the 9th nationwide local elections reached 61.0%, marking the second highest in history. According to the National Election Commission on June 4, the final turnout for the June 3 local elections was recorded at 61.0%. The elections began at 6 a.m. at 14,288 polling stations across the country, with 27,249,586 out of 44,649,908 registered voters participating. This figure includes results from early voting conducted on May 29 and 30, which had a turnout of 23.51%. The turnout is 10.1 percentage points higher than the 50.9% recorded in the 8th local elections held on June 1, 2022. It also surpasses the 60.2% turnout of the 7th local elections, making it the second highest ever. The highest turnout in local election history was 68.4% during the first local elections. Regionally, South Jeolla Province had the highest turnout at 65.7%, followed by Gangwon (64.5%), South Gyeongsang (64.4%), and Daegu and Ulsan (64.2%). Seoul also exceeded the national average with a turnout of 63.6%. However, an unprecedented situation occurred when voting was temporarily halted at 12 polling stations in Songpa District and one each in Gangnam and Gwangjin Districts due to a shortage of ballots. As a result, voting in these areas resumed only after exit poll results were released, leading some voters to abandon their ballots and raising concerns about the fairness and integrity of the election.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 04:00:00

Choo Kyung-ho Wins Daegu Mayoral Election, Defends Conservative Stronghold Choo Kyung-ho, the candidate from the People Power Party and a former Deputy Prime Minister, has won the Daegu mayoral election. In one of the most fiercely contested areas of the June 3 local elections, he successfully defended the "heart of conservatism" against the ruling party's challenges. Choo entered the race late due to delays in the party's primary, initially trailing behind Democratic Party candidate Kim Boo-kyum in early polls. The election in Daegu, known for its strong conservative base, turned into an unprecedented close contest. However, as the campaign progressed, the race tightened. Choo's daily appeals to "revive the Daegu economy and protect the heart of conservatism" resonated with voters. Former President Park Geun-hye, often referred to as the "queen of elections," also provided significant support. She met with Choo at her residence in Daegu and campaigned with him at local markets, urging citizens to back his candidacy. In his victory speech, Choo emphasized the urgent need to rebuild the Daegu economy. He stated, "The meaning of this election result is a stern command from the citizens to revive the collapsed Daegu economy and awaken its potential. I will respond with tangible results." Choo pledged to prioritize economic recovery, stating, "From the moment I stepped into the race as a mayoral candidate, I promised to become an 'economic mayor.' The top priority of my administration will be the recovery of the Daegu economy. I will simultaneously promote the development of future industries, attract investment, and restore the livelihoods of citizens to make Daegu a place where money and people gather again." Choo, an economic expert with a background in public administration, was born in Daegu and graduated from Kyeseong High School and Korea University with a degree in business administration. He also holds a master's degree in economics from the University of Oregon in the United States. He entered public service after passing the 25th National Civil Service Examination and has held various key positions as an economic bureaucrat. He served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance in the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, earning a reputation for his exceptional work ethic and leadership, being regarded as the "most admired boss" within the ministry. Choo entered the National Assembly in 2016 as a candidate for the then-Saenuri Party (now the People Power Party) in Daegu's Dalseong district and has since been re-elected three times, solidifying his local support. In May 2024, he was elected as the floor leader of the People Power Party, further expanding his influence within the party. With this victory, Choo has successfully continued the legacy of conservative mayors in Daegu, which has consistently elected candidates from conservative parties since the first local elections in 1995, except for one instance when an independent candidate won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:45:00

Jeon Jae-soo Wins Busan Mayoral Election, Thanks Voters for Choosing Change Jeon Jae-soo of the Democratic Party has been elected as the Mayor of Busan, defeating Park Hyung-jun of the People Power Party in one of the key battlegrounds of the June 3 local elections. This marks the first time a Democratic Party candidate has held the Busan mayoralty since Oh Geo-don was elected eight years ago.According to the National Election Commission, as of 3:30 a.m., with 95.42% of the votes counted, Jeon secured 50.40% of the votes, while Park received 48.04%.Upon confirmation of his victory, Jeon stated, "I take the wishes of the Busan citizens who chose change very seriously and I promise to work hard, work hard, and work hard again. I am truly grateful and thankful."He added, "While I am happy about my election, I am also aware that there are many more who lost than those who won. As mayor, I will do my utmost to ensure that the Democratic Party earns the trust of even more Busan citizens."Jeon acknowledged the challenges of campaigning in Busan, saying, "I felt once again how difficult it is to run an election in Busan, especially for those who lost, including Ha Jung-woo, who ran for the National Assembly in the North Busan Gap district. I take full responsibility for the shortcomings as the mayoral candidate." He concluded by promising to channel the passion and efforts of those who lost into revitalizing Busan.Park Hyung-jun, who was seeking a third term as mayor, congratulated Jeon on his victory, stating, "I will now finish the 8th term of the elected administration and return to being a citizen of Busan to support its development."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:39:00

Park Chan-dae Secures Victory in Incheon Mayoral Election Park Chan-dae of the Democratic Party is projected to win the Incheon mayoral election held on June 3. A native of Incheon, Park previously served three terms as a National Assembly member for the Yeonsu district. As of 3:20 a.m. on June 4, Park was leading by nearly 10 percentage points over his opponent, Yoo Jeong-bok of the People Power Party. In response, Yoo acknowledged his defeat, stating, "I humbly accept the stern choice of the citizens." Upon confirmation of his victory, Park addressed supporters at his campaign office, saying, "The citizens have made a decision for a 'great Incheon.' I will take this command from the citizens to move beyond stagnation and toward growth." He emphasized the immediate launch of a 100-day emergency project for economic recovery, pledging to work closely with the central government to deliver significant results. This election marks another change in leadership for Incheon. The last time an incumbent mayor successfully retained their position was in 2006, when Ahn Sang-soo of the then-ruling Grand National Party (now the People Power Party) was re-elected. Additionally, Park played a significant role in the Democratic Party as the floor leader in 2024, leading the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who had declared a state of emergency on December 3.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:36:00

Jokuk Acknowledges Defeat in Pyeongtaek By-Election In the by-election for the National Assembly held alongside the local elections on June 3, Jokuk, the candidate from the Jokuk Innovation Party, conceded defeat on June 4. After the victory of the People Power Party's candidate, Yoo Yi-dong, Jokuk stated, "The top priority of the June 3 local elections was to achieve a zero presence of the People Power Party. While we achieved meaningful results nationwide, we were unable to fulfill that mandate in Pyeongtaek. This is all my shortcoming and my responsibility." He added, "Though you embraced me warmly, I did not meet your expectations." He continued, "This outcome is a personal failure for me, but I believe the vision and values reflected in me are not wrong. I will always walk with you to realize those hopes," and expressed his intention to use the heartfelt support from Pyeongtaek as a guiding compass. He also thanked all volunteers and supporters from the pro-democracy camp, saying, "I am grateful to everyone who wholeheartedly stood by me." In the multi-candidate race for the Pyeongtaek by-election, Jokuk finished in third place, following Yoo and Kim Yong-nam of the Democratic Party.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:36:00

Democratic Party Expected to Win 12 to 14 of 16 Local Elections In the June 3 local elections, the Democratic Party achieved a significant victory, likely winning more than 10 out of 16 regional leadership positions. As of 3 a.m. on June 4, the Democratic Party is projected to secure victory in 10 of the 16 gubernatorial races, while the People Power Party has confirmed wins in only two regions: Daegu and Gyeongbuk. Four regions, including Seoul, Gangwon, Chungnam, and Gyeongnam, remain competitive as of this time. Both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party confirmed their victories in their strongholds, Gwangju-Jeonnam and Gyeongbuk, respectively, on the evening of June 3. Min Hyung-bae, the newly elected mayor of Gwangju-Jeonnam, stated at his campaign office in Gwangju's Seo-gu, "We will work together with the citizens to create a new growth axis for South Korea, uniting Jeonnam and Gwangju," adding, "We will establish a citizen-led government where administration follows the will of the people." Lee Cheol-woo, the newly elected governor of Gyeongbuk, emphasized, "I will dedicate myself to fulfilling the wishes of the citizens for a stronger Gyeongbuk and a more robust South Korea." Democratic Party candidates continued to announce their victories throughout the night. By 3 a.m., Huh Tae-jung, the newly elected mayor of Daejeon, Kim Sang-wook, the newly elected mayor of Ulsan, and Wi Seong-gon, the newly elected governor of Jeju, had all confirmed their wins. The elections for Choo Mi-ae, the candidate for Gyeonggi governor, Lee Won-taek for Jeonbuk governor, Park Chan-dae for Incheon mayor, Jo Sang-ho for Sejong mayor, and Shin Yong-han for Chungbuk governor are also expected to be confirmed. In Busan, Democratic Party candidate Jeon Jae-soo declared victory, stating, "I will honor the wishes of the Busan citizens who chose change." On the other hand, among the People Power Party candidates, aside from Lee Cheol-woo, who confirmed his win early, the only candidate expected to secure a victory is Choo Kyung-ho, the candidate for Daegu mayor. Choo expressed gratitude and respect for his opponent, Kim Boo-kyum of the Democratic Party, who conceded, saying, "I will meet with Kim Boo-kyum frequently to gain valuable advice." Meanwhile, in Seoul, Gangwon, Chungnam, and Gyeongnam, where counting is still ongoing, no clear frontrunners have emerged. However, excluding Gangwon, where competitive results were anticipated, the Democratic Party candidates are favored to win in the other regions based on exit polls. Therefore, once the counting is completed, it is expected that the Democratic Party will secure 12 to 14 of the 16 regional leadership positions, while the People Power Party will take 2 to 4.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 03:33:00