Overview
- The ruling Democratic Party captured 12 of 16 major mayoral and gubernatorial posts and won nine of 14 parliamentary by-elections, delivering a nationwide rout that strengthens President Lee Jae Myung's governing position.
- Seoul’s contest was the lone major holdout as incumbent Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party narrowly retained the mayoralty after the final count showed him ahead by about 60,000 votes.
- Voting on Wednesday was disrupted at 14 Seoul polling stations when ballot papers ran out, forcing temporary suspensions, extended hours at some sites and a public apology from the National Election Commission.
- Protesters blocked removal of two ballot boxes in Songpa Ward for roughly 35 hours before riot police cleared the site on Friday and officials counted about 2,000 previously omitted ballots to complete the final tally.
- The shortages and large polling errors by exit polls have intensified scrutiny of the NEC's planning and oversight, prompted PPP demands for investigations and possible remedies, and left questions about public trust in Korea's election administration.