Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok, left, leader of the People Power Party, greets campaign workers of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea in Cheongyang County, South Chungcheong Province, Monday. Yonhap
The ruling and opposition parties made last-ditch appeals for support Tuesday, the eve of nationwide local elections, a vote widely seen as a test of public sentiment toward President Lee Jae Myung's first year in office.
Up for grabs in the June 3 elections are 16 mayoral and gubernatorial posts, along with 227 heads of local governments and some 4,000 members of local councils.
This year's elections carry added significance as 14 National Assembly seats are also at stake in parliamentary by-elections, to be held alongside the local elections, with several political heavyweights running in the races.
Surveys conducted before a blackout period of election-related polls last week pointed to a tighter-than-expected race between candidates from the ruling Democratic Party of Kroea (DPK) and their rivals from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP).
