In the 4.2 by-elections, the first nationwide elections held since the Dec. 3 martial law, the opposition party won 4 out of 5 local government head positions. The People Power Party handed over 3 of the 4 constituencies that were previously held by its members to the Democratic Party. The Justice Party produced its first local government head since its founding, resulting in 3 local heads for the Democratic Party, 1 for the People Power Party, and 1 for the Innovation Party.

As the People Power Party's candidate Baenakho is certain to be elected in the by-election on Apr. 2, he shares joy with supporters at the election camp. /Courtesy of News1

According to the National Election Commission on the 3rd, in the re-election for the mayor of Gimcheon in North Gyeongsang Province, People Power Party candidate Bae Nak-ho won 51.86%, defeating independent candidate Lee Chang-jae (26.98%) and Democratic Party candidate Hwang Tae-seong (17.46%). This is the only region among the 5 local government head elections where the People Power Party emerged victorious.

In the Geoje mayoral race, Democratic Party candidate Byun Kwang-yong, who previously served as the 9th mayor, garnered 56.75% of the vote, defeating People Power Party candidate Park Hwan-ki (38.12%). In the Asan mayoral race in South Chungcheong Province, Democratic Party candidate Oh Se-hyun (57.52%) beat People Power Party candidate Jeon Man-gwon (39.92%).

On the morning of the 20th, candidate Jang In-hong of the Democratic Party appeals for support in front of Guro District Office in Seoul. /Courtesy of News1

Following the ‘blank trust’ controversy involving the People Power Party-affiliated district mayor, Democratic Party candidate Jang In-hong won the Guro District mayoral by-election with 56.03%. The People Power Party did not field a candidate due to accountability for the circumstances that led to the by-election.

Candidate Jeong Cheol-won of the Justice Innovation Party, elected in the Apr. 2 by-election, shares joy with supporters at his campaign office in Damyang-eup, Jeollanam-do on the afternoon of the 2nd. /Courtesy of News1

In particular, during the re-election for the Damyang County mayor, which featured a two-way contest between the Democratic Party and the Innovation Party, Innovation Party candidate Jeong Cheol-won received 51.82% of the votes, defeating Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-jong (48.17%).

In the Busan Superintendent of Education election, progressive unified candidate Kim Seok-jun won with 51.13%. In the conservative camp, candidates Jeong Seung-yoon and Choi Yun-hong ran.

Candidate Kim Seok-jun for Busan Superintendent of Education celebrates with a bouquet in his campaign office in Busanjin-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 2nd as he is likely to be elected. /Courtesy of News1

On that day, the by-elections were held in 23 regions nationwide, including 17 council members for metropolitan and local councils. The final voter turnout was provisionally reported at 26.27%. The turnout for the re-elections in the 5 local government head areas was 37.83%. This is lower than the voter turnout of 53.9% from the re-elections for local government heads held last October in 4 locations including the Busan Geumjeong District Mayor, Incheon Ganghwa County Mayor, and Jeonnam Gokseong and Yeonggwang County Mayors.