The ruling Democratic Party is poised for a significant victory in the nationwide local elections, securing 12 out of 16 mayoral and gubernatorial races, a stark contrast to their 2022 performance. Vote counting continues early Thursday morning, with the People Power Party largely confined to its southeastern strongholds of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, though holding a narrow lead in South Gyeongsang Province. Despite the Democratic Party's sweeping success across various regions including Seoul's metropolitan area, a late comeback by the People Power Party's candidate in Seoul's mayoral race, Oh Se-hoon, has resulted in a razor-thin lead, with controversies over voting disruptions and potential requests for a revote looming. In the parallel National Assembly by-elections, the Democratic Party won nine seats, while the People Power Party secured four.