Opposition hits post-election high as Lee's ratings continue to slide SEOUL, June 15 (AJP) - South Korea's main opposition gained further ground in the aftermath of the June 3 local elections, recording its strongest support since former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment and President Lee Jae Myung's victory in the subsequent snap election. A Realmeter survey found support for the conservative People Power Party (PPP) rose for a third straight week to 44.3 percent, its highest level since Lee took office, widening its lead over the r June 15, 2026

Korea's ruling party explores second year's challenges in an in-house forum SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) -South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has restored the dignity of the country's hard-won democracy, but what lies beyond can define the true scorecard of the liberal government, according to the ruling party's in-house seminar amid sagging approval rating following disappointing local election results. At a forum at the National Assembly in Yeouido, hosted by the office of Rep. Sohn Myung-soo of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) Thursday, persistent chal June 11, 2026

Korea's ruling front humbles as approval rating droops in election aftermath SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - The honeymoon period had been unprecedentedly longer for South Korean President Lee Jae Myung compared with past leaders, but it eventually came to an end. Just before departing for a European tour on Wednesday, Lee took time for a moment of self-reflection. In a post on X, he apologized to the public and pledged to "work harder" with greater modesty and openness after a string of polls showed his approval ratings falling sharply in the aftermat June 11, 2026

South Korea's opposition party picks former Yoon ally as floor leader SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) -Jeong Jeom-sig, a prosecutor-turned three-term lawmaker and longtime ally of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, was elected floor leader of South Korea's main conservative opposition on Wednesday, underscoring the People Power Party's continued reliance on pro-Yoon figures despite its crushing defeat in last week's local elections. The People Power Party (PPP) said Jeong defeated four-term lawmaker Kim Do-eup in a runoff vote among party lawmakers at June 10, 2026

What lies ahead for DP after falling short where it mattered most despite overall win? SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - South Korean voters handed President Lee Jae Myung's ruling Democratic Party (DP) a broad victory in this week's local elections while simultaneously delivering a warning against one-party dominance, as the conservatives retained the key Seoul mayoralty and narrowed losses in parliamentary by-elections. The DP won 12 of 16 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial races in the June 3 local elections, a sharp reversal from its crushing defeat in the 2022 vo June 5, 2026

Lee 'mulls cabinet reshuffle' after DP falls short in key local election races SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung is reportedly mulling a new prime minister as part of a partial cabinet reshuffle, after the ruling Democratic Party (DP) failed to win several key posts such as Seoul mayor despite its overall victory in this year's local elections, which wrapped up earlier this week. His longtime aide Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho and presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik are emerging as the two possible candidates to carry out Lee's sweepi June 5, 2026

DP sweeps local elections but defeats in key races signal challenges ahead SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - The ruling Democratic Party (DP) swept 12 of 16 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial races in this year's local elections on Wednesday, claiming an overall victory, but the results exposed growing vulnerabilities in Seoul and other battlegrounds that could reshape the political landscape. While the liberal party regained ground nationwide under President Lee Jae Myung, analysts said even a handful of defeats in high-profile races suggested voter d June 4, 2026

From chalkboards to AI: How South Korea turns election night into must-watch TV shows SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - With vote counting for this year's local elections underway on Wednesday, millions of viewers did not simply refresh their phones for results; they sat down and watched. The country's election night broadcasts have evolved into some of the most elaborate live television events in the country. What began as a functional exercise in relaying vote totals has become a high-stakes arena where major networks aggressively compete, blending real-time data and p June 4, 2026

Two ex-justice ministers see contrasting fortunes in local elections' key battlegrounds SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - Two former justice ministers, both once seen as potential presidential contenders in the liberal and conservative camps, saw sharply contrasting fortunes in Wednesday's local elections. Former leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) and independent candidate Han Dong-hoon won a parliamentary by-election and is headed to the National Assembly, while Cho Kuk of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP) lost, casting doubt over his political future June 4, 2026

Ballot paper shortage disrupts local elections as ballot box remains unretrieved SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - A rare logistics failure disrupted this year's local elections in Seoul, where ballot papers ran out at 14 polling stations, delaying voting and angering voters. At one station, a ballot box remained unretrieved as of Thursday morning, fueling further criticism of the already embattled National Election Commission (NEC) over its handling of the vote. The NEC is the independent agency responsible for overseeing the country's elections. The disruption June 4, 2026