Seoul Mayoral Loss Despite South Korean Democratic Party Wins

The center-left Democratic Party of South Korea achieved a significant victory in local elections on Wednesday but faced a setback in Seoul. The party lost the mayoral race in Seoul, the second-most influential elected position after the presidency.

Leading up to the election, surveys and exit polls had anticipated a win for the Democratic Party candidate in Seoul. Despite this, the incumbent, Oh Se-hoon, a member of the conservative party, was re-elected. The Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority, aimed to use this election to bolster its influence a year into President Lee Jae Myung’s term.

Oh Se-hoon commented on his victory, stating, “Seoul citizens have once again firmly established the fundamental principle of democracy: checks and balances. You have kept Seoul as the final safeguard of democracy, ensuring that South Korea does not tilt entirely to one side.” Chong Won-o, the Democratic Party candidate, conceded the race.

The Democratic Party managed to win 12 of 16 metropolitan mayor and provincial governor positions. Successes included winning the governorship of Gyeonggi Province, the region around Seoul, and the mayor’s office in Busan, a city previously leaning conservative. The People Power Party won four contests, including the mayorship of Daegu and two provincial governorships in the southeastern Gyeongsang region, their stronghold.

In previous local elections four years earlier, the People Power Party had a stronger result. However, its reputation declined after its leader, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, declared martial law in late 2024. He was later removed from office and sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of insurrection.