South Korean voters cast early ballots for local elections.

On the morning of May 29th, polling stations across South Korea officially opened to welcome voters participating in a two-day early voting period for the local and by-elections for the National Assembly, scheduled for June 3rd. This is considered the first nationwide referendum on President Lee Jae-myung's administration after one year in power.

Báo Thanh Hóa•29/05/2026

South Korea begins two days of early voting for local elections. Photo: Yonhap.

According to the National Election Commission of South Korea (NEC), eligible voters can cast their ballots at 3,571 polling stations nationwide from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Friday and Saturday (May 29 and 30).

This election will determine the occupants of 16 mayoral and governor positions, 227 heads of local governments, and approximately 4,000 members of local councils. In addition, public attention is also focused on the by-election to fill 14 vacant seats in Parliament, with fierce competition among many prominent politicians .

This is the first nationwide general election since President Lee Jae-myung's administration took office last June, following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol over the failed martial law declaration. The ruling Democratic Party (DP) is urging high voter turnout, viewing it as an opportunity to express its views on political forces linked to the previous administration.

Meanwhile, the opposition People Power Party (PPP), facing deep internal divisions following the imposition of martial law, is hoping to regain ground to rebuild the conservative bloc.

The Seoul metropolitan area and its surroundings, home to half the nation's population, continue to be a decisive battleground. In the Seoul mayoral race, incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the PPP party is locked in a close race with candidate Chong Won-o of the ruling DP party.

South Korean voters cast early ballots for local elections.

Voters cast early ballots in Gwangju, South Korea, on May 29, 2026. Photo: Seoul.co.kr.

According to the latest survey by Hankook Research, Chong is leading with 42% support compared to Oh's 36%. Another flashpoint is the by-election for the National Assembly in the Buk-A district of the port city of Busan, where former Presidential Secretary for Artificial Intelligence Policy Ha Jung-woo (DP party) will face independent politician Han Dong-hoon (former PPP party leader) and former lawmaker Park Min-shik.

Thanh Giang

Source: Yonhap.

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