2026 South Korean by-elections
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The 2026 South Korean by-elections (Korean: 2026년 대한민국 재보궐선거) were held in South Korea on 3 June 2026, alongside the 2026 South Korean local elections.
The by-elections were called due to the vacancies of 14 constituencies in the National Assembly, making the by-elections the most large-scale ones since democratisation and thus considered politically significant.[1][2] Thirteen of the vacated seats were previously held by members of the Democratic Party.[3] One of the seats was vacated by President Lee Jae Myung's resignation from the National Assembly due to his victory in the 2025 South Korean presidential election.[4] Several seats were declared vacant by court orders due to campaign finance violations committed by previously elected MPs. Other MPs, including Min Hyung-bae and Choo Kyung-ho, resigned in order to run in the local elections.[5][6]
The outcome of the by-elections did not influence the power balance of the national assembly, as the ruling Democratic Party currently holds a slim majority.
Candidates
Notable candidates include Cho Kuk, Han Dong-hoon, Song Young-gil, and Lee Kwang-jae. In case they win their respective races, they are considered potential candidates for the 2030 South Korean presidential election.[7]
Districts
13 parliamentary seats are former Democratic Party seats, and the only 1 seat is former People Power Party seat.[8] 14 seats will be elected on the 3rd of June, 2026. 5 seats are located in the Seoul metropolitan area, while the rest of seats are in other areas.
- Gyeonggi Ansan A
- Gyeonggi Hanam A
- Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek B
- Incheon Gyeyang B
- Incheon Yeonsu A
- Jeju Seogwipo
- Busan Buk A
- Gwangju Gwangsan B
- Chungnam Gongju·Buyeo·Cheongyang
- Chungnam Asan B
- Jeonbuk Gunsan·Gimje·Buan A
- Jeonbuk Gunsan·Gimje·Buan B
- Ulsan Nam A
- Daegu Dalseong
