The October 16 by-elections ended with both the ruling and opposition parties merely defending their traditional strongholds. In essence, it was a draw. The People Power Party achieved a relatively large margin of victory in the Busan Geumjeong District mayoral by-election. In the Jeonnam Yeonggwang County mayoral by-election, which was a three-way race among opposition parties, the Democratic Party won. Ultimately, this election concluded with the existing balance of power maintained.

According to the National Election Commission on the 17th, in these by-elections for four local government heads, the People Power Party and the Democratic Party each secured victories in two regions.

On October 16, Yoon Ilhyun, the People Power Party candidate for the Busan Geumjeong District Chief by-election, clenched his fist at the Busan Geumjeong District campaign office.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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In the Busan Geumjeong District mayoral by-election, Yoon Ilhyun won with 61.0% of the vote, defeating Democratic Party candidate Kim Gyeongji, who received 39.0%. Although there was analysis that Kim Gyeongji had significantly closed the gap in public opinion polls after successfully unifying with Ryu Jaeseong of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, the actual votes told a different story. The efforts of People Power Party leader Han Donghoon, who visited Geumjeong District six times to solidify grassroots support, seem to have been effective. For the Democratic Party, this confirmed the high barrier in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (PK) region.

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The People Power Party also won comfortably in the Incheon Ganghwa County mayoral by-election, which was considered its stronghold. Park Yongcheol of the People Power Party received 51.0%, defeating Han Yeonhee of the Democratic Party, who garnered 42.1%.

In the Honam region, dubbed the Honam Battle between the Democratic Party and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, the Democratic Party held onto its base. Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, campaigned intensively in the region after Chuseok and managed to secure over 15% of the vote in each constituency, enough to have his campaign expenses reimbursed, but failed to win in any area.

On the afternoon of October 16, when the 10.16 by-elections were held, Jang Seil, the Democratic Party candidate who was confirmed elected in the re-election for Yeonggwang County Governor in Jeollanam-do, greeted supporters with a wreath around his neck alongside his spouse Jung Sumi. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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In the Jeonnam Yeonggwang County mayoral by-election, where the Democratic Party, Cho Kuk Innovation Party, and Progressive Party competed, Jang Seil won with 41.1% of the vote. Lee Seokha of the Progressive Party came in second with 30.7%. Jang Hyun of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, who had shown early strength, finished third with 26.6%. In the Jeonnam Gokseong County mayoral by-election, Jo Sangrae of the Democratic Party won with 55.3%, beating Park Ungdu of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, who received 35.9%.

Despite being held on a weekday, these by-elections saw high voter turnout, with an average turnout rate of 53.9%. In particular, Yeonggwang recorded a turnout of 70.1%, nearly matching the 70.2% turnout in 2022. With both parties going all out, it appears that their respective support bases were fully mobilized.

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Han Donghoon, leader of the People Power Party, confirmed the trend of defending the party's strongholds early in the ballot count and stated on social media, "In accordance with the will of the people, we will lead change and reform in the government and the ruling party." He intends to use the election results as momentum for party and government renewal.

Lee Jaemyung, leader of the Democratic Party, urged via social media, "I hope the elected officials will open a new horizon of local autonomy that enhances the effectiveness of politics." However, the results, which failed to expand beyond the party's existing strongholds such as PK, seemed somewhat disappointing.