The June 3 local elections strengthened the ruling Democratic Party’s (DP) grip on power, but the more consequential story may be what they revealed about the politicians, issues and coalitions likely to shape South Korea’s next presidential election in 2030.

On paper, the results were a clear success for President Lee Jae Myung and the DP. The party won 12 of 16 metropolitan and provincial races, expanded its influence over local government and maintained a commanding position in the National Assembly.

But the election also produced a more complicated political landscape. The DP failed to capture Seoul despite favorable