The Democratic Party of Korea secured victories in 19 of 31 city and county local government head elections in Gyeonggi Province during the 9th nationwide local elections, defeating the People Power Party. However, the People Power Party also demonstrated formidable strength, claiming wins in 12 areas, with incumbent local government heads performing particularly well in battleground regions such as Yongin and Seongnam.
According to the final vote count by the National Election Commission, with 99.97% of ballots counted in Gyeonggi Province as of 8:57 a.m. Wednesday, the Democratic Party produced winners in 19 areas, while the People Power Party secured 12.
This represents a complete reversal from the local elections four years ago, when the People Power Party swept the contests, winning 22 areas compared with the Democratic Party's nine.
The Democratic Party won in Suwon, Hwaseong, and Goyang — special cities with populations exceeding 1 million. It also comfortably claimed victories in Pyeongtaek, Anyang, and Paju.
The People Power Party, in response, maintained its strength in northern Gyeonggi areas with traditionally solid support bases, including Pocheon, Yangpyeong, Yeoju, Dongducheon, Gapyeong, and Yeoncheon. The party also successfully defended the special city of Yongin. Furthermore, it fended off the Democratic Party's strong challenges — backed by ruling party premiums — in smaller cities such as Uiwang and Gwacheon.
Among the 29 incumbent mayors and county heads who sought reelection, results were mixed. While 19 incumbents successfully won another term, 10 tasted the bitterness of defeat.
Meanwhile, in the "Yong-Seong (Yongin-Seongnam) showdown," which drew attention rivaling that of the Gyeonggi gubernatorial race, People Power Party candidates Lee Sang-il (Yongin) and Shin Sang-jin (Seongnam) won reelection.
