Candidate Registration Begins for South Korean Local and Parliamentary Elections

May 12, 2026, 08:06
AsiaPolitics

Introduction

The National Election Commission has announced the schedule for candidate registration for the local elections on June 3 and the parliamentary by-elections happening at the same time.

Main Body

According to the official timeline, candidates must register this Thursday and Friday. Formal campaigning will start on May 21 and end on June 2, although some limited campaigning is allowed before this period. Furthermore, early voting is scheduled for May 29 and 30. The local elections include votes for governors and mayors in 16 provinces and cities, as well as education superintendents and local officials. For example, the Seoul mayoral race features a competition between the current mayor, Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party, and Chong Won-o from the Democratic Party. Similarly, in Busan, incumbent Park Heong-joon is running for a third term against Democratic Party candidate Chun Jae-soo. At the same time, by-elections will be held for 14 seats in the National Assembly. In Busan's Buk-A district, three candidates are competing: independent Han Dong-hoon, Democratic Party nominee Ha Jung-woo, and former legislator Park Min-shik. Additionally, Cho Kuk of the Rebuilding Korea Party is running for a seat in Pyeongtaek. To encourage more people to vote, the Gwangju Election Commission is working with the Korea Bakers Association, using themed cakes and packaging in 150 bakeries to share information about the election dates.

Conclusion

The election process is now moving into the registration phase before the final polls on June 3.

Learning

πŸš€ The 'Connector' Secret: Moving from Simple to Sophisticated

At the A2 level, you likely use and, but, or because to join your ideas. To reach B2, you need to use Transition Words (Connectors) that guide the reader through your logic.

Look at how this article organizes information without using simple 'and' every time:

  • Adding Information: Instead of saying "Also," the author uses Furthermore and Additionally. These are 'power-words' that make your writing sound professional and academic.
  • Showing Similarities: The author uses Similarly to connect the situation in Seoul to the situation in Busan. This tells the reader, "The next example is just like the previous one."

πŸ› οΈ The B2 Upgrade Table

A2 (Basic)B2 (Bridge)How to use it
AndFurthermoreUse this to add a strong, important point.
AlsoAdditionallyUse this to list an extra piece of information.
Like / SameSimilarlyUse this when two different things are behaving the same way.

πŸ’‘ Pro Tip: The 'Context' Shift

Notice the phrase According to. This is a B2-level marker. Instead of saying "The timeline says...", using "According to [Source]" allows you to distance yourself from the information and report it objectively. This is a key requirement for B2 fluency in both speaking and writing exams.

Vocabulary Learning

announce (v.)
to state or declare something officially
Example:The committee announced the new schedule yesterday.
schedule (n.)
a plan of events and times
Example:She checked the schedule for the upcoming elections.
candidate (n.)
a person running for office
Example:The candidate promised to improve education.
registration (n.)
the act of enrolling or signing up
Example:Voters must complete registration before the deadline.
formal (adj.)
official and proper
Example:The candidate gave a formal speech at the rally.
campaigning (n.)
the activity of promoting a candidate
Example:Campaigning lasted from May 21 to June 2.
limited (adj.)
restricted in amount or scope
Example:Limited campaigning was allowed before the official period.
early (adj.)
happening before the usual time
Example:Early voting was scheduled for May 29 and 30.
voting (n.)
the act of casting a ballot
Example:Voting will take place at designated polling stations.
superintendents (n.)
officials overseeing schools
Example:Education superintendents will be elected locally.
incumbent (adj.)
currently holding an office
Example:Incumbent Park Heong-joon sought a third term.
competition (n.)
a contest between participants
Example:The competition between the two mayors was intense.
nominee (n.)
a person chosen to stand for election
Example:The nominee represented the Democratic Party.
legislator (n.)
a lawmaker
Example:The former legislator Park Min-shik ran again.
encourage (v.)
to give support or confidence
Example:The commission encouraged citizens to vote.
final (adj.)
last, concluding
Example:The final polls will be held on June 3.
polls (n.)
places where voting takes place
Example:Voters line up at the polls.
phase (n.)
a distinct stage in a process
Example:Registration is the first phase of the election.
process (n.)
a series of actions to achieve a result
Example:The election process involves several steps.
commission (n.)
an official body
Example:The Election Commission oversees the elections.
association (n.)
a group of people with a common purpose
Example:The Bakers Association participated in the campaign.
themed (adj.)
having a particular theme
Example:The cakes were themed for the election.
packaging (n.)
the wrapping or covering of goods
Example:Packaging of the cakes displayed the election dates.
share (v.)
to give part of something to others
Example:They shared information with voters.
information (n.)
facts or details
Example:Information about the election was distributed widely.
district (n.)
a geographical area for elections
Example:Buk-A district elected three candidates.
independent (adj.)
not affiliated with a party
Example:The independent Han Dong-hoon ran for office.
seat (n.)
a position in a legislative body
Example:He ran for a seat in the National Assembly.
term (n.)
a fixed period of office
Example:He seeks a third term in office.
by-elections (n.)
special elections to fill vacancies
Example:By-elections are held when seats are vacant.
election (n.)
the act of choosing a candidate
Example:The election will decide the new mayor.