News

South Korea’s Local Elections: Democratic Victory Overshadowed by Loss of Seoul

Sheewon Min

South Korea's governing Democratic Party (DP) achieved a decisive victory in the recent local elections, winning 12 of the country’s 16 major mayoral and provincial races. The opposition conservative People Power Party (PPP) secured four victories, but its most significant success came in Seoul, where incumbent mayor Oh Se-hoon won re-election. The result gave the PPP an important political foothold despite its weakened position following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law declaration in 2024 and subsequent impeachment.

The elections were widely viewed as the first major test of public opinion since President Lee Jae Myung took office last year. While the Democratic Party’s nationwide performance strengthened its control over local governments, the loss of Seoul tempered the scale of its victory. As South Korea's largest city and most politically influential municipality, Seoul often serves as a barometer of national political sentiment.

Political analysts pointed to housing affordability as a key factor behind Oh’s victory. Rising property prices and growing concerns about access to housing have remained major issues for residents of the capital. Oh also performed strongly among younger male voters, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, a demographic that has increasingly shifted toward conservative candidates in recent years due to concerns over employment opportunities and economic insecurity.

The post-election period was dominated by controversy surrounding ballot shortages reported in more than 50 constituencies nationwide. The shortages prevented some citizens from voting and triggered protests, particularly among younger voters. President Lee called for a thorough investigation, while both ruling and opposition politicians demanded reforms to prevent similar incidents in future elections. Police have launched investigations into the administrative failures that led to the shortages.

The election demonstrates that South Korean voters are increasingly separating local concerns from national politics. While many appear satisfied with the Lee administration, Seoul voters prioritized issues such as housing and urban governance. The results also highlight the growing political importance of younger voters, whose economic frustrations could play a decisive role in shaping future elections. For both major parties, addressing these concerns may prove more important than ideological debates in the years ahead.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Visits Korea To Discuss Emerging Technologies

Amy Han

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang travelled to South Korea on 5 June to meet with executives from leading conglomerates and members of the research community. The discussions are anticipated to focus on expanding collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence and robotics.

Beyond semiconductors, Huang is exploring broader partnerships in AI-powered manufacturing, robotics, cloud infrastructure, and physical AI. During his visit, he is scheduled to meet executives from Samsung, SK Hynix, LG, Hyundai, and Naver, signaling Nvidia's intention to deepen its presence across Korea's technology ecosystem.

The visit has also drawn strong investor attention. Korean technology stocks have rallied amid expectations that closer ties with Nvidia will create new growth opportunities as AI demand continues to surge globally.

The trip comes within a year of Huang's previous visit to South Korea, which took place during the APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju last October. During his previous visit, Huang attracted significant public interest after sharing a late-night meal of fried chicken and beer with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung.

A key highlight of this trip is expected to be a private dinner with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, and Naver Chairman Lee Hae-jin. Although Hyundai's Euisun Chung was initially expected to attend, he has since indicated that he will not be able to join. The executives represent companies across the AI ecosystem, covering areas such as semiconductor manufacturing, data center infrastructure, AI development, software, and robotics.

Realistically, Huang's trip is less about a single business deal and more about strengthening Nvidia's long-term partnerships with South Korea's leading chipmakers and industrial companies as the next phase of the AI boom expands into robotics, manufacturing, and AI infrastructure.

This Week in Korean History

On June 10, 1926, a massive, student-led protest against Japanese colonial rule, erupted across Korea. Despite severe surveillance, students distributed thousands of independence declarations coinciding with the funeral procession of Emperor Sunjong. It sparked nationwide protests and reinvigorated the independence movement.