The 2026 South Korean Local Elections: A Landslide Victory for the Democratic Party
On 3 June 2026, South Korea held its ninth local elections, a massive democratic exercise involving the election of 4,227 public officials. The results signaled a significant political shift, as the ruling Democratic Party secured a landslide victory across much of the country, winning 12 of the 16 metropolitan mayoral and provincial governor races.
While the Democratic Party dominated the regional landscape, the opposition People Power Party managed to hold key strongholds, including the highly contested mayorship of Seoul. Despite the high engagement, the election was marked by significant administrative controversies that led to high-level resignations within the National Election Commission (NEC).
Key Facts
- Election Date: 3 June 2026
- Voter Turnout: 61.0% (27,253,457 voters)
- Major Winner: Democratic Party (won 12 of 16 regional heads)
- Seoul Result: Incumbent Oh Se-hoon (People Power Party) re-elected to a fifth term.
- Administrative Crisis: Severe ballot shortages in 91 districts led to the resignation of the NEC Chairman.
Election Overview and Participation
The election saw a robust turnout of 61.0%, representing a 10.1 percentage point increase compared to previous cycles. A total of 34,079,860 citizens were registered to vote. Eligible voters included all citizens born before 4 June 2008. In addition to the local elections, 2026 South Korean by-elections were held concurrently.
The scale of the election covered various levels of government, including:
- 16 metropolitan mayors and provincial governors
- 227 municipal mayors
- 933 metropolitan and provincial councillors
- 3,035 municipal councillors
- 16 superintendents of education
Summary of Election Results by Category
| Category | Democratic Party (DP) | People Power Party (PPP) | Other/Ind. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Heads | 12 won (up 7) | 4 held (down 8) | - |
| Regional Councillors | 589 seats (up 267) | 327 seats (down 213) | 7 PP, 5 RKP, 5 IND |
| Municipal Mayors | 119 won (up 56) | 95 won (down 50) | 2 RKP, 11 IND |
| Municipal Councillors | 1,574 seats (up 190) | 1,277 seats (down 158) | Various |
Regional Head Election Highlights
The Battle for Seoul
The race for the Seoul mayorship was one of the most closely watched contests. Incumbent Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party successfully secured a fifth term, narrowly defeating the Democratic Party's Chong Won-o. The margin was slim, with Oh receiving 49.22% of the vote compared to Chong's 48.07%.
Major Regional Shifts
The Democratic Party achieved significant gains in several key areas:
- Jeonnam–Gwangju: Min Hyung-bae (Democratic Party) won with a commanding 79.02% of the vote. Notably, South Jeolla Province and Gwangju are scheduled to merge into the special city of Jeonnam–Gwangju on 1 July 2026.
- Busan and Incheon: The Democratic Party successfully gained both of these major cities from the People Power Party.
- Ulsan: In a notable upset, Kim Sang-wook of the Democratic Party defeated the incumbent, Kim Doo-gyeom.
- Daegu: The People Power Party maintained its hold, with Choo Kyung-ho winning the seat.
Administrative Controversies and Resignations
Ballot Shortages and Voting Delays
The election was marred by a severe shortage of physical ballots. The National Election Commission (NEC) had printed only about 50% of the registered electorate's worth of ballots, anticipating high early voting numbers. This miscalculation resulted in ballot depletion in 91 voting districts, including major areas like Songpa-gu and Gangnam-gu in Seoul.
To accommodate voters, polling hours were extended in some locations, such as Jamsil, where voting continued until 10:00 PM to allow for the delivery of emergency supplies.
Exit Polls and Legal Consequences
Controversy erupted when major television networks released exit poll projections at 6:00 PM, while thousands of voters were still waiting in lines at extended polling stations. This raised serious concerns regarding the secret ballot principle.
Following a formal complaint regarding dereliction of duty, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency launched an investigation. The fallout led to the resignation of NEC Chairman Rho Tae-ak and Secretary General Heo Chul-hoon on 5 June 2026. The incident also sparked debate regarding the political neutrality of the judiciary, as the NEC Chairman concurrently serves as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the most regional head positions in 2026?
The Democratic Party won a landslide victory, securing 12 out of the 16 metropolitan mayoral and provincial governor positions.
What happened in the Seoul mayoral election?
The incumbent mayor, Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party, was re-elected to his fifth term, winning with 49.22% of the vote.
Why were there ballot shortages at polling stations?
The NEC printed ballots for only approximately 50% of registered voters, assuming high early voting would reduce demand on election day. This led to shortages in 91 districts.
What was the impact of the administrative failures on the NEC?
The shortages and the timing of exit polls led to investigations and the official resignations of both the NEC Chairman and the Secretary General.
Are there any upcoming changes to regional administration?
Yes, South Jeolla Province and Gwangju are set to merge into the new special city of Jeonnam–Gwangju on 1 July 2026.