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

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