Han Dong-hoon, the independent candidate for Busan Buk-gap, celebrates after his victory is confirmed at his election office on June 4. [Photo=Yonhap News]
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.
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.
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