500 South Korean Candidates Win Without a Single Vote – Before Election Day Even Starts

More than 500 candidates in South Korea have already been elected to local office before a single ballot is cast, because no one bothered to run against them.

The country is set to hold local elections on June 3 to choose mayors, governors, and local council members. But in over 500 districts, candidates ran completely unopposed, meaning they automatically secured their seats [1]. This means that for a significant portion of the total positions up for grabs, voters will have zero choice on election day [1].

Officials say the lack of competition stems from weak local party organizations and low political interest, particularly in rural areas [1]. While voters in other districts will still head to the polls to choose between multiple candidates, the automatic wins already guarantee a large bloc of officials who were never tested by a rival [1]. The June 3 vote will still decide leadership for local governments that oversee parks, schools, and public transportation across the country [1].