The Democratic Party has achieved a significant victory in the June 3 local elections, positioning itself to gain control over legislative, central administrative, and local powers, a feat described as a "triple crown."
According to Yonhap News, as of 10 p.m. on June 3, the Democratic Party is leading in 14 out of 16 regional governor elections. If this trend continues, the party will secure its third consecutive national election victory, following its wins in the 2024 general elections and last year's early presidential election.
Political analysts believe that if the Democratic Party secures local power in addition to its majority in the National Assembly and control of the central government, it will achieve an unprecedented level of governance. Since the introduction of simultaneous local elections in 1995, there have been few instances of a party effectively controlling the legislative, central, and local governments.
The closest comparison to this outcome is the 2018 local elections, held a year after the inauguration of the Moon Jae-in administration, where the Democratic Party won 14 out of 17 regional governorships.
However, at that time, the Democratic Party held only about 120 seats in the National Assembly, failing to secure a majority. The opposition parties, including the Liberty Korea Party (now the People Power Party), the Bareunmirae Party, and the Democratic Peace Party, were able to exert checks on the party's power, unlike the current overwhelming power structure.
The Democratic Party gained legislative dominance in the 2020 general elections, but by then, the Moon administration was entering its later stages, limiting its governance capabilities.
In the 1998 local elections during the Kim Dae-jung administration, the ruling party won regional governorships, but the Grand National Party held a majority in the National Assembly, creating a divided government. Similarly, in the local elections held shortly after the inauguration of Yoon Suk Yeol's administration in 2022, the People Power Party secured local power, while the Democratic Party remained the majority in the National Assembly. The simultaneous control of legislative, executive, and local powers is a rare occurrence in South Korean political history.
The Democratic Party's success is attributed to the timing of the elections, which took place just one year after the establishment of the Lee Jae-myung administration. Analysts suggest that the party's high approval ratings and the ineffectiveness of the opposition's calls for a government accountability narrative contributed to its success, along with the effectiveness of the party's message regarding the need to resolve past conflicts.
The Democratic Party has emphasized its role in stabilizing the nation following the national chaos triggered by the December 3 emergency situation under former President Yoon Suk Yeol, highlighting achievements in economic and diplomatic areas. The message that local governments led by Yoon's administration should also be replaced resonated with voters, influencing the election results.
Shin Yul, a professor at Myongji University, stated in a conversation with Yonhap News, "The People Power Party's inability to move beyond the issue of 'Yoon Suk Yeol' has led to this concentration of power. The government and ruling party will likely view this local election as a reaffirmation of public trust."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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