The defeat in the Seoul election came after the incumbent mayor promised to act as a counterbalance to Lee’s administration.

South Koreans are voting in mayoral and other local elections that are seen as a gauge of support for President Lee Jae Myung’s 1-year-old liberal government.

Exit polls show South Korea’s ruling liberal party has been projected to win a landslide victory in mayoral and other local elections

Staff members count ballots in Seoul, South Korea, June 3, 2026. [Photo/Xinhua]