Photo : YONHAP News
There was no surprise in Wednesday’s by-elections with rival parties winning in their respective strongholds.
Up for grabs in the by-elections were five administrative seats – the superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, as well as mayoral posts in Busan’s Geumjeong District, Incheon’s Ganghwa County, and the counties of Yeonggwang and Gokseong in South Jeolla Province.
The ruling People Power Party(PPP) won in its traditional strongholds in Busan and Incheon.
The main opposition Democratic Party(DP) clinched a victory in both of the two constituencies in South Jeolla Province after a fierce three-way battle with two minor parties Rebuilding Korea Party and Jinbo Party.
Jung Keun-sik, a liberal candidate and honorary professor at Seoul National University, was elected the education chief of Seoul.
Voter turnout in Wednesday’s by-elections was tentatively tallied at 24-point-62 percent.