June 3 Early Voting Opens with Record First-Day Turnout of 10.39%

Two-day early voting for South Korea's June 3, 2026 local elections and 14 National Assembly by-election seats launched nationwide, with 3,571 polling stations open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. By the end of the first day, turnout reached 10.39% — surpassing the 10.18% total early-voting turnout from the 2022 local elections before the second day had even begun. Over 44.65 million voters are eligible for races covering 16 mayoral and gubernatorial posts, 227 local government heads, approximately 4,000 council seats, and 14 National Assembly by-election seats. High early-voting turnout was broadly interpreted as favorable to the ruling Democratic Party, which has benefited from a sustained wave of anti-PPP sentiment following the December 2024 martial law crisis.