Yeouido 25 Hours — 2026년 5월 2일
The ruling and opposition parties are clashing over the "Special Counsel Act on Fabricated Investigations and Indictments by the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration," with the People Power Party labeling it a "judicial coup." As the June 3 local and by-elections approach, the race is intensifying, with 7 out of 14 by-election districts having confirmed their candidate matchups.
Yeouido 25 Hours — May 2, 2026
Today’s Political Headlines
Special Counsel Act sparks fierce clash
- What’s happening?: The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has proposed a special counsel act regarding alleged fabricated investigations and indictments during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. On the 1st, the People Power Party (PPP) slammed the bill as a move to "cancel the indictment for President Lee Jae-myung’s cases," calling it a betrayal of the people.
- Why it matters: With the June 3 local elections looming, the DPK is emphasizing the eradication of prosecutorial abuse, while the PPP views this as politically motivated legislation. This conflict is becoming the central issue of the current political landscape.
By-elections taking shape as 'mini general election'
- What’s happening?: Matchups for 7 of the 14 parliamentary by-elections, occurring alongside the June 3 local elections, have been finalized. Key races include Lee Kwang-jae (DPK) vs. Lee Yong (PPP) in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi, and Song Young-gil (DPK) vs. Park Jong-jin (PPP) in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon.
- Why it matters: With the total number of districts reaching 14, these races serve as a "mini general election," which could act as a mid-term assessment of the Lee Jae-myung administration.
PPP Seoul City Party rallies for victory
- What’s happening?: Bae Hyun-jin, chair of the PPP Seoul City Party, held a resolution rally for the 9th National Local Elections on the 30th at the National Assembly Member Office Building.
- Why it matters: Seoul is considered the primary battleground for the June 3 elections. The party's focus on reclaiming Seoul highlights the high stakes for the opposition.
[오늘의 국회일정](30일·목) | 연합뉴스
국민의힘 서울시당 필승결의 및 공천자대회 | 연합뉴스
[인사] 국가보훈부 | 연합뉴스
국회 재경위 전체회의서 열린 공청회 | 연합뉴스
[오늘의 국회일정](30일·목) | 연합뉴스
여야, 오늘 본회의 열어 정치개혁 법안 처리 추진 | 연합뉴스
[오늘의 국회일정](28일·화) | 연합뉴스
확 달라진 선거구…옥천 광역·기초의원 후보들
국회법 개정안 與주도 처리…정부조직 개편 맞춰 상임위 변경 | 연합뉴스
Moderate voters lean toward ruling party
- What’s happening?: A survey released on May 1 shows 51% of moderate voters support ruling party (DPK) candidates for the June 3 local elections, compared to 23% for the PPP. President Lee Jae-myung’s approval rating hit 56% in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk and Ulsan-Gyeongnam regions.
- Why it matters: The continued support for the ruling party puts significant pressure on the PPP to pivot its electoral strategy.
National Assembly Trends
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Finance and Economy Planning Committee: Held a public hearing on the "Strategic Export Financial Support Act" on April 29 to discuss building financial infrastructure for strategic industries.
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DPK Honam nominations: The DPK has yet to announce nominations for its traditional stronghold, the Honam region, amid speculation of strategic timing.
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Candidates: The DPK is fielding figures like former Blue House Senior Secretary Ha Jong-woo and former lawmaker Jeon Eun-soo, while the PPP has applicants including Chung Jin-suk, Park Min-sik, and Lee Jin-sook.
Presidential Office & Government
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Senior Secretaries Meeting (April 30): President Lee Jae-myung chaired the meeting, emphasizing the principle of balanced regional development in policy and budget distribution.
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Korea-Australia Foreign Ministers' Meeting (April 30): Held in the afternoon; details will be provided in a follow-up briefing.
Ruling vs. Opposition
- Special Counsel Bill: DPK calls it "rebuilding the rule of law," while PPP calls it "political retaliation."
- By-election strategy: DPK is utilizing high-profile figures, while the PPP faces concerns over a "talent shortage" despite high-profile applicants.
Diplomacy & Security
- KF-21 production: Concerns are rising over delays due to budget constraints, with experts suggesting an "early integration of air-to-ground capabilities" as a solution.
- North Korea: Held the 11th Congress of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League from April 28 to 30.
- UN: The South Korean Ambassador to the UN reaffirmed Seoul's commitment to "peaceful coexistence" and denuclearization on May 1.
Upcoming Schedule
- May 3: Expected announcement of PPP by-election nomination results.
- May: Expected announcement of DPK Honam by-election nominations.
- May: Potential submission of the Special Counsel Act to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
Reporter's Perspective
With one month left until the June 3 elections, Yeouido has entered full election mode. The Special Counsel Act is defining the political frame, with the DPK pushing for "rule of law" and the PPP countering with "anti-political retaliation." The ultimate question is whether the PPP can secure competitive candidates to challenge the ruling party's current lead.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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