Leaders of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea cheer as an exit poll projects its landslide win, at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

The liberal ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is projected to dominate Wednesday’s local elections, with exit polls showing it leading in a majority of key races while the conservative main opposition People Power Party (PPP) trails across the nation.

According to a joint exit poll, released at 6 p.m. by major broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS, DPK candidates were leading in 11 of the nation’s 16 mayoral and gubernatorial contests, while the PPP was ahead in just one. Contests in four cities and provinces — Busan, Daegu, Gangwon Province and North Jeolla Province — were too close to call as of 9 p.m.

In the closely watched Seoul mayoral race, DPK candidate Chong Won-o led the race at 51.4 percent, outpacing incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the PPP, who stood at 46 percent.

In Busan, the nation’s second-largest city, DPK candidate Chun Jae-soo narrowly led with 50.2 percent over PPP Mayor Park Heong-joon’s 48.3 percent, but the gap was within the margin of error of 1.7 percentage points to 4.1 percentage points.

In Daegu, long regarded as one of the PPP’s strongholds, PPP candidate Choo Kyung-ho clung to a razor-thin edge over the DPK’s Kim Boo-kyum, with the exit poll putting Choo at 49.9 percent and Kim at 49.1 percent.

In the Gyeonggi gubernatorial race, Choo Mi-ae, former DPK chairwoman and former justice minister, was projected to post a commanding 60.4 percent against PPP rival Yang Hyang-ja’s 34.1 percent.

As the exit poll figures were disclosed, the DPK’s election situation room erupted in cheers and applause.

“This projection confirms public support for the competent governance of President Lee Jae Myung and for the continuation of the work to ensure the stability of state affairs,” said Lee Yeon-hee, strategic planning director and situation room chief of the DPK.

Jang Dong-hyuk, center, chairman of the main opposition People Power Party, and other leaders of the party's election committee watch exit poll results released by KBS, MBC and SBS at the party's headquarters in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Source: Korea Times News