US and Japanese media outlets are predicting a victory for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea in the 9th nationwide local elections and parliamentary by-elections held on Tuesday.
The Associated Press reported that "South Korea's election serves as a test of public sentiment toward state affairs as the Lee Jae-myung administration marks its first year in office," adding that "the Democratic Party of Korea is expected to secure more seats than the People Power Party, while the main opposition People Power Party remains in disarray about a year and a half after former President Yoon Suk-yeol's failed martial law declaration and subsequent impeachment."
Bloomberg also framed the election as President Lee Jae-myung's first nationwide test, analyzing that "the election results could further expand the ruling party's influence." It added, "However, if the main opposition party gains a foothold for rebuilding, it could mark the political limits of President Lee."
The New York Times said, "This local election is both a referendum on President Lee's popularity and a test for the embattled conservative opposition, with a Democratic Party victory expected." The newspaper noted, "While the People Power Party won the local elections four years ago, the standing of the conservative People Power Party has weakened since former President Yoon's declaration of emergency martial law in late 2024."
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) reported that "buoyed by the KOSPI's upward momentum, the ruling party holds an advantage in opinion polls, while the People Power Party continues to suffer the fallout from the failed emergency martial law and former President Yoon's impeachment." The newspaper added, "However, Korean elections sometimes see last-minute shifts depending on unexpected variables or the consolidation of support bases."
In this local election, voters will elect 16 metropolitan mayors and governors, 16 superintendents of education, 227 heads of cities, counties and districts, 933 metropolitan council members, and 3,035 basic council members. Parliamentary by-elections will also be held simultaneously in 14 constituencies nationwide, including Pyeongtaek-B in Gyeonggi Province and Buk-A in Busan.
