Candidate registration opened Thursday for South Korea's June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections, seen as a key test of public sentiment toward President Lee Jae Myung's first year in office.
The National Election Commission said prospective candidates can register between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Official campaigning will begin next Thursday and last 13 days until the eve of the June 3 elections.
Among the most closely followed races are the mayoral contests in Seoul and the traditional conservative strongholds of Daegu and Busan. In Seoul, incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party will face candidate Chong Won-o of the Democratic Party.
Ruling party leader Jung Chung-rae said the main opposition should face harsh judgment over remnants of insurrection tied to former President Yoon Suk Yeol. People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok called the elections a referendum on President Lee and the ruling party.
