The Democratic Party of Korea swept Incheon in the 9th nationwide local elections, taking over local power following its earlier capture of the central government. The result is the exact opposite of four years ago, when the party suffered a crushing defeat to the People Power Party.
According to a tally of Incheon election results on the 4th, the Democratic Party won the mayoralty, 8 of 11 district mayoralties, and 38 of 45 metropolitan council seats. Candidate Park Chan-dae blocked Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok's bid for a third term, ushering in a change of city administration.
The Democratic Party also dominated the district mayoral races. Eight candidates were elected: Kim Jung-sik in Michuhol-gu, Lee Byung-rae in Namdong-gu, Cha Jun-taek in Bupyeong-gu, Son Hwa-jung in Yeongjong-gu, Park Hyung-woo in Gyeyang-gu, Koo Jae-yong in Seo-gu, Kim Jin-gyu in Geomdan-gu, and Jang Jung-min in Ongjin-gun. The People Power Party held on in only three districts, with Kim Chan-jin elected in Jemulpo-gu, Lee Jae-ho in Yeonsu-gu, and Park Yong-cheol in Ganghwa-gun.
The outcome marks a complete reversal from four years ago, when the People Power Party swept the mayoralty, 8 district mayoralties, and 28 metropolitan council seats. At that time, the Democratic Party barely held on to just two district offices in Bupyeong and Gyeyang.
Several winners stood out in rematch races. Kim Jung-sik in Michuhol-gu and Jang Jung-min in Ongjin-gun overcame defeats from four years ago to unseat People Power Party incumbents. Lee Byung-rae in Namdong-gu also got his revenge in a rematch against incumbent Park Jong-hyo. Park Hyung-woo in Gyeyang-gu returned to office for a fourth term after a four-year break following three consecutive terms. Cha Jun-taek in Bupyeong-gu won a third consecutive term.
The Democratic Party also achieved a clean sweep in the two parliamentary by-elections, with candidates Song Young-gil and Kim Nam-jun both winning in Yeonsu-gu A and Gyeyang-gu B.
◆ Democratic Party Landslide: Expectations and Concerns Coexist
With the Democratic Party seizing local power in Incheon, its links to central politics have been strengthened. President Lee Jae-myung's ruling party, by sweeping the mayoralty, 8 district mayoralties, and 38 metropolitan council seats, is seen as having secured momentum to push forward its policies.
Incheon, despite being part of the greater capital region, has long complained of "reverse discrimination" within the region, being overshadowed by Seoul and Gyeonggi. Excluded from the country's five major metropolitan cities, the city has voiced strong frustration over being left out of government support. Long-standing local issues remain piled up, including blocking the relocation of public institutions, ending the operation of the metropolitan landfill, and the early groundbreaking of the GTX-B line. With central and local power now unified under the same party, the local community is watching closely to see whether momentum will build for resolving these issues.
On the other hand, concerns have also emerged. By taking 38 of the 45 metropolitan council seats, the party has effectively established a one-party dominant system. With the Democratic Party also holding majorities in basic-level councils, critics point out that the local legislatures' check-and-balance function could be weakened. When a single party monopolizes local power, administrative oversight and the representation of minority opinions inevitably shrink.
Minor parties again failed to produce meaningful results in this election. With the two-party structure becoming more entrenched, observers say political reform toward a multi-party system has grown more distant.
Kim Song-won, secretary general of the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice in Incheon, said, "At a time when Incheon faces the risk of losing its foundation for future growth, the monopolization of local power raises serious concerns about weakened response to and checks on the central government." He added, "When the central and local governments are of the same party, critical voices toward government policy inevitably weaken. We must guard against the possibility that party lines will be prioritized over the interests of Incheon citizens."
