The fiercely contested local elections are now only awaiting results. As of 2 p.m. on the 3rd, turnout stood at 48.9%, already nearing the final turnout of the last local elections (50.9%).
With the fallout from former President Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law and impeachment lingering, and as this is the first nationwide vote since President Lee Jae-myung took office, public interest has been hotter than ever. The by-elections held alongside the local elections amount to a "mini general election" with 14 constituencies, and the entry of presidential-level politicians such as Han Dong-hoon, Cho Kuk, and Song Young-gil also fueled attention.
In this local election cycle, there were many incidents, accidents, and gaffes that drew as much public attention as the fierce campaign itself. ChosunBiz has compiled the 10 moments that became the "tipping points" of this election season.
①Ha Jung-woo hand-shaking controversy
The Busan Buk-gap by-election drew major attention when former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon ran as an independent. The Democratic Party of Korea put forward political newcomer Ha Jung-woo, the presidential office's senior secretary for AI future planning.
On Apr. 29, the day of the Democratic Party's talent recruitment event, candidate Ha went straight to Gupo Market in Busan. It was effectively his first greeting to Busan citizens at a symbolic spot in Busan Buk-gap. But while greeting market merchants, video captured Ha shaking hands with several merchants and then wiping his hand.
Ha explained that his "hand went numb," but strong criticism followed from the opposition. In political circles, many assessed it as the limits of a political novice.
②Democratic Party moves special counsel bill with indictment cancellation
On Apr. 30, the Democratic Party proposed the "Special Counsel Act on Fabricated Indictments by the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration," saying prosecutors under the Yoon administration must be investigated for alleged fabricated indictments. The issue was a provision guaranteeing the special counsel the "power to cancel indictments." The scope of the special counsel's duties explicitly included "filing indictments, maintaining indictments, and deciding whether to do so."
From the opposition came a barrage of criticism calling it President Lee Jae-myung's "special counsel to erase crimes." Initially, the Democratic Party appeared set to pass the indictment-cancellation special counsel bill in May, but it postponed the move to after the local elections. It appears to have taken into account concerns that it could be a liability in the local elections.
③Jung Chung-rae "call him oppa" controversy
On May 3, while campaigning at Gupo Market in Busan to support candidate Ha Jung-woo, Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae told an elementary school student, "Here's Jung-woo oppa, say 'oppa.'" Ha, seated in front of the girl, also referred to himself as "oppa."
As the video spread, criticism mounted from the opposition against leader Jung and candidate Ha. Critics said telling an elementary school student to call a politician more than 40 years older "oppa" amounted to child sexual harassment. As the controversy grew, both Jung and Ha expressed apologies, saying they were sorry.
④Kim Kwan-young runs as an independent
North Jeolla Province Gov. Kim Kwan-young held a press conference at the North Jeolla Provincial Council on May 7 and declared he would run for governor as an independent. It came 36 days after he was expelled from the Democratic Party over allegations that substitute driver fees were improperly paid.
With Kim's entry, the North Jeolla gubernatorial race became a fierce two-way contest between Democratic Party nominee Lee Won-taek and Kim. As the race tightened after Kim announced his run, the Democratic Party leadership visited North Jeolla day after day to pour in resources. Since the party has never lost a North Jeolla gubernatorial election, a win by independent Kim would likely deal a heavy blow to the party leadership.
⑤End of capital gains tax surcharge deferral
The deferral of the capital gains tax surcharge for owners of multiple homes ended on May 9. It was a step in line with the Lee Jae-myung administration's policy stance calling for normalization of the real estate market. Since then, signs of "listings drying up" have appeared in the Seoul real estate market, and Seoul apartment prices are on the rise.
Real estate policy and the jeonsei and monthly rent crunch were among the biggest issues of these local elections. Ruling party candidates who agreed with the Lee Jae-myung administration's real estate policies and opposition candidates who criticized them traded barbs day after day.
⑥Kim Yong-beom's "national dividend" remarks
On the night of May 11, a Facebook post by presidential policy chief Kim Yong-beom sparked major controversy. Kim argued, "The fruits of the AI infrastructure era are not solely the result of specific corporations," adding, "A portion of those fruits should be structurally returned to all citizens." He tentatively named it the "national dividend."
The next day, as the KOSPI plunged more than 5% intraday and Bloomberg ran a story pointing to Kim's post as a cause, the controversy deepened. The presidential office said it was his "personal opinion," and explained it was about exploring ways to use increased tax revenue. From the opposition came criticism calling it a "gangster mindset to seize corporate achievements."
Kim's post continued to be talked about as it overlapped with the Samsung Electronics strike, and the controversy appears to be ongoing after Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon made remarks in a similar vein recently.
⑦GTX-A Samsung Station rebar omission incident
On May 15, media reports revealed that rebar was omitted in the platform structure at Samsung Station on the GTX-A line. It was belatedly confirmed that Hyundai Engineering & Construction had failed to install the rebar properly. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport conducted an on-site inspection, and blame-shifting continued among Hyundai Engineering & Construction, the Seoul city government, and Korea National Railway.
The incident emerged as a top issue in the Seoul mayoral race. The ruling party pressed that it happened while candidate Oh Se-hoon was in office, accusing him of "safety insensitivity," while the opposition countered that it was an exaggeration. Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor Chong Won-o even visited the Samsung Station construction site himself.
⑧Starbucks "tank day" marketing controversy
A "tank tumbler" discount promotion Starbucks ran on May 18 drew criticism for making light of the May 18 Democratization Movement and became a major social issue. Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin personally apologized.
When President Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party of Korea declared a boycott of Starbucks, the issue expanded from a simple social controversy into a political flashpoint. Opposition figures talked about the freedom to drink coffee and even posted Starbucks proof shots. In political circles, the view is that as the campaign heated up, both sides used the Starbucks controversy to rally their bases.
⑨Former President Park Geun-hye hits the trail
Former President Park Geun-hye actively took part in stump speeches supporting the People Power Party in these local elections. Starting in Daegu on May 23, she practically toured the country, including Daejeon and the Chungcheong region, Busan, Ulsan, South Gyeongsang, and Gangwon, appealing for support for People Power Party candidates.
The opposition views it as a moment that moved conservative voters, but the ruling camp criticized the People Power Party, saying that after nominating "Yoon-again" candidates, it even brought out "Park-again."
⑩Seosomun overpass collapse
On May 26, a collapse occurred during demolition work on the Seosomun overpass in Seodaemun District, Seoul. Three people were killed and three were injured in the accident.
Following the Samsung Station rebar omission, "safety" moved to the forefront in the Seoul mayoral race. Both candidates, Chong Won-o and Oh Se-hoon, suspended campaigning for the day to mourn the victims. Debates over safety measures and responsibility continued afterward.