Rival parties gear up for local elections seen as test of public gauge over political polarization

▲ National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik (from L), ruling Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae, main opposition People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, and minor liberal Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk sing the national anthem during a memorial for victims of the Itaewon crowd crush at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul in this file photo taken Oct. 29, 2026. (Yonhap)

▲ Ruling Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae (3rd from L) speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly in western Seoul on Feb. 20, 2026. (Yonhap)

▲ Main opposition People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok speaks at the National Assembly in western Seoul on Feb. 20, 2026. (Yonhap)

local elections-preview

Rival parties gear up for local elections seen as test of public gauge over political polarization

By Chae Yun-hwan

SEOUL, Feb. 22 (Yonhap) -- Ruling and opposition parties are gearing up for the June 3 local elections that are seen as a test of public gauge for political polarization, with the conservative bloc still in disarray over the aftermath of the botched imposition of martial law by former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The upcoming elections, which include parliamentary by-elections in more than 10 constituencies, are expected to serve as the first major bellwether of public support for the policies of President Lee Jae Myung's administration since its launch in June last year.

The ruling Democratic Party (DP), which won last year's presidential election and the parliamentary elections in 2024, is aiming for another victory to strengthen its legislative mandate and push its policy agenda.

Meanwhile, the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) seeks to end its losing streak and overcome its crisis following former President Yoon's martial law declaration, subsequent ouster and conviction for leading an insurrection.

The PPP, which won in 12 of the 17 municipalities in the 2022 local elections, seeks to defend key areas, such as the capital, from the DP, which has made rallying calls to "completely end the insurrection" stemming from Yoon's failed martial law bid.

Meanwhile, the PPP has placed focus on the economy, calling on voters to cast their ballots based on the state of their livelihoods.

According to a Gallup Korea poll released Feb. 6, 44 percent of respondents said more DP candidates should be elected into office for the June local elections, 12 percentage points higher than 32 percent of those who were in favor of opposition candidates.

A similar poll by Gallup Korea last October showed the difference between the two sides at 3 percentage points.

Key issues expected to dominate the upcoming elections are possible administrative integrations of municipalities, the real estate market and a recent court verdict to sentence former President Yoon to life imprisonment over his martial law bid.

Other minor parties seeking to expand their presence through the June elections include the liberal Rebuilding Korea Party and the conservative New Reform Party.

DP leader Jung Chung-rae had proposed a merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party before the elections, but the idea was dropped amid internal discord.

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