With just thirty days left until South Korea’s pivotal June 3, 2026 local elections, political tensions are mounting as both major parties finalize their strategies and nominations. At the heart of the current political discourse stands Cho Seung-rae, secretary-general of the Democratic Party (더불어민주당), who has set forth a bold vision for the upcoming contest, framing it as a referendum not just on local governance, but on the very direction of the nation’s democracy.
On May 4, 2026, Cho addressed reporters at the National Assembly, marking the 30-day countdown to the elections. According to 연합뉴스 and 뉴시스, Cho described the upcoming vote as an opportunity to “support stable national governance and normalize every corner of the country.” He didn’t mince words about his party’s goals: “The aim of this local election is to eliminate pro-insurrection and sympathizing forces and to expel 'Yoon Suk-yeol Kids,'” referring to the ruling party’s close allies of President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Cho criticized the rival People Power Party (국민의힘) for re-nominating all incumbent local government heads, labeling them as “representative Yoon Suk-yeol Kids.” He argued that the ruling party was ignoring the public’s desire for change, saying, “The People Power Party has re-nominated all incumbent local government heads, but these individuals are representative Yoon Suk-yeol Kids. This shows how thoroughly they are turning a blind eye to the public’s yearning for change.”
The Democratic Party, meanwhile, has taken a different approach. Cho emphasized that “even five incumbent heads of local government were dropped from nomination, reflecting the citizens’ strong desire for change.” He further explained, “Our goal is not to count victories in terms of seats. We are striving to elect even one more local council member, working hard to win every possible vote.”
As the party races to complete its preparations, Cho outlined the timeline: strategic nominations for the parliamentary by-elections are set to conclude by May 6, the day after Children’s Day, with a transition to a full-fledged election committee system next week. As of May 4, five regions—including Daegu Dalseong, Gwangju Gwangsan-eul, Chungnam Gongju/Buyeo/Cheongyang, and Jeonbuk Gunsan, Gimje, Buan gap/eul—still await final nominations. Cho reaffirmed the party’s commitment: “Our goal is to nominate candidates in every single region without exception.”
But the Democratic Party’s nomination process hasn’t been without controversy. The party has faced internal and external criticism over candidate unification, particularly in the city of Ulsan, where recent polling shows a razor-thin margin between the Democratic Party (35.1%), People Power Party (32.8%), and the progressive Justice Party (14.5%). According to a poll conducted May 17-18 by STI for 민중의소리, the competition is fierce, with the progressive camp worried about splitting the vote and inadvertently handing victory to conservatives. The poll, with a 95% confidence level and ±3.1% margin of error, surveyed 1,001 adults in Ulsan.
Cho clarified the Democratic Party’s stance on candidate unification, laying out two principles: “First, there will be no regional give-and-take by the central party. Second, there will be no party-to-party negotiations.” He added, “We will not engage in any backroom deals such as ‘we’ll yield here if you give us there.’ Such exchanges risk distorting the will of the citizens.” However, he acknowledged the unique situation in Ulsan, where civil society groups have called for unification to maximize the chance of defeating the People Power Party. “If a structure is needed to win even one more percent of the vote, we agree discussions are necessary,” he said, but stressed, “Even in Ulsan, independent decision-making will prevail, with no regional trade-offs.”
Rumors of secret deals have swirled, especially suggestions that the Democratic Party might trade the Pyeongtaek-eul seat for a unified Ulsan mayoral candidate. Cho flatly rejected such speculation, saying, “There will be no behind-the-scenes deals. We have made it clear that regional trading for unification is not possible. Any unification will be based on independent judgment.”
In addition to strategy and nominations, the Democratic Party has been forced to confront a series of recent gaffes by its own candidates. On April 25, Seoul mayoral candidate Jung Won-oh told a Namdaemun market merchant struggling with sales, “Consumer patterns have changed. You should consult with experts,” a comment that drew sharp criticism from the opposition. On May 3, party leader Jung Cheong-rae and Busan candidate Ha Jung-woo asked an elementary school student to call Ha “oppa” (a term for older brother), sparking public backlash.
When asked about these incidents, Cho responded candidly, “Whether intentional or unintentional, we must always consider how our words are received by citizens and portrayed in the media.” He continued, “It would be best if there were no mistakes, but when they do occur, it’s important to acknowledge them honestly and apologize. That, in itself, sends a message to the public.” He concluded, “No one is without mistakes. What matters is how sincerely we overcome them.”
The party’s approach to these controversies has been to swiftly recognize and address them, with both Jung Cheong-rae and Ha Jung-woo issuing apologies to the student and her parents. Cho explained that such transparency is essential to building trust, saying, “Demonstrating sincerity in acknowledging and correcting mistakes is necessary to convey our authenticity to citizens.”
Beyond the immediate election, Cho also addressed the potential passage of the “Yoon Suk-yeol administration fabricated prosecution special investigation bill” prior to June 3. He noted, “We must comprehensively judge the impact on the election and the bill itself before proceeding.” This measured approach underscores the party’s awareness of the delicate balance between legislative action and electoral strategy in the current political climate.
As the June 3 local elections approach, the Democratic Party’s campaign is defined by a focus on rooting out entrenched interests, responding to the public’s call for change, and navigating the challenges of internal unity and public scrutiny. With the nomination process nearly complete and a clear set of principles guiding their strategy, the party is poised for a fiercely contested election—one that could reshape the political landscape at every level of local government.
With the stakes so high and the outcome uncertain, all eyes will remain fixed on South Korea’s neighborhoods and city halls as the campaign enters its final month.