SEOUL - South Korean voters began casting ballots in local elections and parliamentary by-elections on Wednesday. The ninth round of quadrennial local elections, along with by-elections for 14 vacant parliamentary seats, kicked off nationwide, according to the National Election Commission. Voting lasted for 12 hours until 6 p.m. local time (0900 GMT).
Key Positions at Stake
At stake are 16 metropolitan mayors and provincial governors, 227 municipal mayors, 933 members of metropolitan and provincial councils, 3,035 members of municipal councils, 16 superintendents of education, and 14 members of the National Assembly. Among the total eligible voters of about 44.65 million, 23.51 percent participated in early voting held from Friday to Saturday.
Political Significance
The elections were widely seen as a referendum on President Lee Jae-myung's administration as it entered its second year. The outcome is expected to shape the political landscape and gauge public sentiment toward the government's performance.
