South Korea's main opposition People Power Party (PPP) is set to file election petitions over a ballot shortage in the June 3 local elections. The party may file in up to nine races, sparking internal criticism and debate over the necessity and aims of the petitions.
The People Power Party's new floor leader, Jeong Jin-suk, announced on May 11 that Kim Seung-soo, a two-term lawmaker from Daegu, has been appointed as the party's senior deputy floor leader. Kim, who has extensive public service experience and is known for his communication skills, is expected to play a key role in upcoming negotiations and party unity.
South Korea's People Power Party (PPP) has been given a mandate to reform and represent conservative values effectively, following the local elections, with voters seeking a credible opposition to the Democratic Party. Despite some key wins, including Seoul's mayoral race, the party faces internal and external calls for new leadership and a break from controversial legacies.
In the Gyeongnam Provincial Council election, the People Power Party secured 44 seats, the Democratic Party 23, and an independent 1, maintaining its majority. The Democratic Party's gains allow them to form a negotiation group, enabling greater participation in council operations.
The Democratic Party in Chungbuk declared victory in the 6/3 local elections, calling it a mandate for change from the citizens. The People Power Party acknowledged falling short and pledged to focus on local issues and regain trust.
Following the 6/3 local elections, 64 members have been confirmed for the 13th Gyeongbuk Provincial Assembly. The People Power Party secured 58 seats, with the Democratic Party and independents each winning 3. Attention is now focused on who will be elected as the assembly's first-half chairman, with veteran members like Kim Hee-soo (5-term) and Bae Jin-seok, Choi Byung-joon, and Park Young-seo (4-term) considered frontrunners.
Seoul's district mayor map flipped in the June 3 local elections, with the Democratic Party winning 17 out of 25 districts compared to the People Power Party's 8. The DP regained 9 districts lost in the previous election, while the PPP retained its strongholds in the 'Han River Belt'.
The Democratic Party is projected to win 81 out of 118 seats in the Seoul City Council, regaining majority control after four years. This shifts the power balance, setting up potential tension between the council and Mayor Oh Se-hoon's administration.
People Power Party candidate Lee Jung-hyun, who ran for the integrated Jeonnam-Gwangju mayor in a traditionally difficult district, will have half of his election expenses reimbursed after securing 11.68% of the vote. Other candidates in the mayoral race and some local council candidates will receive partial or no reimbursement.
In the Gyeongnam local government heads election, the People Power Party secured 10 out of 18 seats, but faced internal dissent and losses to independent candidates. The Democratic Party won 4 seats, failing to capitalize on favorable conditions and suffering key defeats in areas like Changwon.
Four candidates from the Democratic Party and four from the People Power Party have been nominated for the Chuncheon mayoral election. The candidates include Park Young-rim, Baek So-ryeon, Jo Su-hyeon, and Yoon Mi-kyung from the Democratic Party, and Seo Young-il, Lee Eun-hee, and Lee Sang-mi from the People Power Party.
In the 6/3 local elections for Chungnam, the People Power Party secured 10 out of 15 mayoral/county chief positions, showing continued strength in local races despite the Democratic Party's win in the provincial governor election.
The People Power Party secured all nine mayoral positions in Daegu's local government districts in the 9th National Simultaneous Local Elections. Hopes for a 'Kim Bu-gyeom effect' benefiting the Democratic Party were dashed as the ruling party failed to secure any seats, highlighting the region's continued conservative leanings.
Newly elected Chungju Mayor Lee Dong-seok of the People Power Party pledged to prioritize citizens' lives and implement his promises, focusing on healthcare, jobs, and urban regeneration. He plans to attract businesses in semiconductors, hydrogen energy, and logistics, and address water-related regulations.
Despite efforts by former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak to rally conservative voters, the People Power Party fell short in key elections. While securing some strongholds like Daegu, the party lost in several regions where the ex-presidents campaigned.
In Gyeongbuk, South Korea's 9th local elections saw the People Power Party win 18 mayoral seats. However, independent candidates secured 4 positions, and the Democratic Party showed competitive performance in Andong, suggesting a slight weakening of the 'PPP nomination equals victory' perception.
Exit polls from South Korea's three major broadcasters predict the Democratic Party will win 11 of the 16 metropolitan mayoral elections, including Seoul. The People Power Party is expected to win in Gyeongbuk, while four races are too close to call.
Exit polls from South Korea's three major broadcasters suggest the Democratic Party will win 11 out of 16 mayoral/gubernatorial races, including Seoul, while the People Power Party is projected to win one. Four races, including Busan and Daegu, are predicted to be close.
JTBC exit polls predict the Democratic Party will win 10 out of 16 mayoral races in the June 3rd local elections, while the People Power Party is expected to win one. Five races are projected to be highly competitive.
The People Power Party urged voters to support 'Number 2' in the June 3 local elections to block President Lee Jae-myung's special prosecutor bill and judge his economic policies. Party officials criticized President Lee's SNS posts as election interference and called for citizens to vote to prevent 'rule by the worst.'
The Democratic Party is intensifying its attacks on the People Power Party ahead of the June 3 local elections, calling the election a "trial to judge extreme right-wing and illegal forces." The party also highlighted competitive races in five constituencies, including Pyeongtaek-eul and Busan Buk-gap.
Former President Park Geun-hye will visit Gijang Market in Busan on May 27th to support local election candidates for the People Power Party. She will meet with merchants and voters to appeal for their support.
The Democratic Party's Han Byung-do criticized the People Power Party, stating that appealing to the far-right would lead to the destruction of conservatism. He accused them of regressing to the 'Yoon Suk-yeol era' and promoting division.
Former President Park Geun-hye visited Daejeon and Gongju to support People Power Party candidates Lee Jang-woo (Daejeon Mayor) and Kim Tae-heum (Chungnam Governor). The Democratic Party criticized her involvement, calling it an attempt to exploit past political scandals for electoral gain.
