Rival parties make final push for support on eve of local elections

The ruling and opposition parties made last-ditch appeals for support Tuesday, the eve of nationwide local elections, a vote widely seen as a test of public sentiment toward President Lee Jae Myung's first year in office. Up for grabs in the June 3 elections are 16 mayoral and gubernatorial posts, along with 227 heads of local governments and some 4,000 members of local councils. This year's elections carry added significance as 14 National Assembly seats are also at stake in parliamentary by-elections, to be held alongside the local elections, with several political heavyweights running in the races. Surveys conducted before a blackout period of election-related polls last week pointed to a tighter-than-expected race between candidates from the ruling Democratic Party of Kroea (DPK) and their rivals from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP). Wrapping up the 13-day campaign period, the DP appealed for support in regions ranging from the traditional conservative stronghold of Gangwon Province to the liberal party's turf of the Jeolla provinces. DPK leader Jung Chung-rae was set toWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times