[Politics & Diplomacy] 100 days to June 3 local elections: What's at stake for rival parties

Описание: 앞으로 100일뒤 오는 이재명 정부 첫 지방선거… 여야 지방선거 관전 포인트

South Korea’s local elections on June 3rd will be a critical point for both the ruling and main opposition parties, marking the first nationwide elections since the launch of the Lee Jae Myung administration.
With around 100 days to go, we have our political correspondent Ahn Sung-jin to discuss how the political situation is unfolding and what processes are left.
Welcome, Sung-jin.

Thanks for having me.

Sung-jin, what are some of the major issues shaping the elections, and what will be some of the key battlegrounds?

Right, let’s first go over some of the key issues that will be shaping this local election: judicial reform, real estate policy, and regional restructuring.

The special investigation into the previous administration’s insurrection has become a key variable as the ruling party pushes for a sweeping judicial reform.
While property issues have traditionally been a vulnerability to incumbent governments, some voters reportedly believe that the administration’s stabilization measures will be effective, which may suggest that the housing policy this time could become a strategic advantage for the Democratic Party.
Meanwhile, the proposed administration merger between Daejeon city and Chungcheongnam-do Province is another major variable.
The number of top local government posts will be halved while doubling the political weight.

As for the pivotal battlegrounds, the capital region, particularly Seoul, remains the election’s core arena.
Incumbent mayor Oh Se-hoon, a leading conservative figure, is seeking a fifth term while the DP aims to reclaim the position.
In Busan, the race is looking increasingly competitive, with a sign of growing undecided voters, which may make it a potential bellwether that could determine overall momentum between the rival camps.

Right, it looks to be a fierce competition among parties on these policies, so why is the June 3rd election so important for both the ruling and main opposition parties?

The upcoming local election will be a pivotal political test for both parties.
With the elections determining the leadership of local governments nationwide, the stakes are high for both.

For the ruling party, victory is viewed as essential to maintain its reforms, while for the main opposition party, the local vote offers an opportunity for a political comeback.
For the ruling Democratic Party, it is widely seen as a midterm assessment of the Lee Jae Myung administration’s first year in office.
The vote will be a reflection of the administration’s early policy direction as the party looks to push forward with its tangible achievements during the government’s first year.

At the same time, it will serve as a crucial moment for the main opposition People Power Party as it tries to recover from internal turmoil.
The PPP looks to lay the groundwork for broader conservative rebuilding efforts.
Party officials are confident that the June 3rd elections will signal whether voters are satisfied with the new government’s direction, suggesting it has confidence in gauging public sentiment since the change in administration.
One of the most significant uncertainties lies within the broader ruling party coalition after merger talks between the DP and Rebuilding Korea Party fell through, and discussions shifted toward forming an electoral alliance instead.

Then, Sung-jin, till June 3rd, what's left of the election process?

Right, let’s take a look at the rest of the process for the local elections. Registration already began for preliminary candidates for multiple government members, including provincial governors, superintendents of education, and city council members.

All candidates must complete their official candidate registration between May 14th and 15th.
Once the final list of candidates is confirmed, the official election campaign period begins, where candidates can legally conduct full-scale campaign activities.
Soon after, candidate debates and discussions will be held, and early voting will take place nationwide from May 29th to 30th.

On the official election day, June 3rd, voting will take place at designated polling stations with the ballot counting beginning immediately.
As the 100-day countdown begins, the June 3rd local elections will be a defining moment to not only measure the performance of the current administration but also test the opposition’s political grounding, so we will have to keep close attention to it till the end date.

Looks like we'll have to keep an eye on how the local elections will unfold in the upcoming months.
Thanks for the preview, Sung-jin.

My pleasure as always.

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2026-02-24, 20:00 (KST)