adminSEOUL, June 3 (Bernama-Yonhap) — The ruling Democratic Party (DP) was poised to win Wednesday’s local elections, with exit polls showing the liberal party ahead in most key races against the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), an outcome that could set the tone for President Lee Jae Myung’s second year in office, Yonhap News Agency reported.
The DP was projected to win at least 10 of the 16 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial posts at stake, according to a JTBC exit poll. A separate exit poll by KBS, MBC and SBS showed the DP winning 11 key races.
Both polls showed the PPP was leading in just one race — the governorship of North Gyeongsang Province.
Four to five races were too close to call, according to the polls.
Wednesday’s elections were held exactly one year after the Lee administration took office on June 4. A clear victory for the ruling party would likely solidify the government’s mandate to push forward with its reform measures.
Although the DP had initially aimed for a landslide victory, recent surveys had shown races tightening with the PPP.
Backed by President Lee’s solid approval ratings, the DP, which holds a parliamentary majority, hopes to safeguard its seats to strengthen the party’s legislative momentum.
Voting took place from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 14,288 polling centres nationwide.
Winners are expected to emerge around midnight, though the results for closely contested races are expected well past midnight.
— BERNAMA-YONHAP
