South Korea's ruling party sweeps local races one year into Lee's presidency

South Korea's ruling Democratic Party of Korea led exit-poll projections in 11 of 16 major metropolitan and provincial races in nationwide local elections Wednesday, reinforcing President Lee Jae-myung's political standing one year into his term, the Korea Times reported.

The results signal broad public backing for President Lee's agenda — including AI investment, balanced regional growth and stock market reform — and are closely watched by the Korean-American diaspora across Southern California, many of whom maintain direct family, cultural and financial ties to the peninsula.

Exit polls released Wednesday at 6 p.m. Seoul time by South Korea's three main broadcasters — SBS, KBS and MBC — showed DPK candidates ahead in 11 of 16 contests for governors and metropolitan mayors, according to the Korea Times. The opposition People Power Party held an advantage in only one race: North Gyeongsang Province, where PPP candidate Lee Cheol-woo held an estimated 69.7 percent of the projected vote.

In Seoul, DPK challenger Chong Won-o led incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon 51.4 percent to 46 percent, the Korea Times reported. The Busan contest was closer, with DPK's Chun Jae-soo edging incumbent Mayor Park Heong-joon 50.2 percent to 48.3 percent.

The tightest battle unfolded in Daegu, a traditional PPP stronghold. PPP candidate Choo Kyung-ho held 49.9 percent against DPK rival Kim Boo-kyum's 49.1 percent — a margin of less than one percentage point, according to the Korea Times.

The Korea Times editorial characterized the early returns as a vote of public trust in the administration. "Early predictions seem to indicate that voters have confidence in President Lee, his administration and its agenda, providing support for its pursuit of artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouse status, balanced national growth and a stock market boost, as well as its approach to sensitive security matters," the editorial stated.

Wednesday's elections filled 4,227 local leadership positions spanning the country's 16 metropolitan and provincial governments. Newly chosen officials were scheduled to assume office by Thursday morning, the Korea Times reported.

The Korea Times editorial called on newly elected officials to follow through on their commitments, writing that "they should look toward the future, turning pledges into real policies and benefits."