South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party (DP) strengthened its control across most of the country in the June 3 local elections, but defeats in Seoul and several key parliamentary by-elections showed that the conservative opposition retains viable leaders and competitive constituencies despite a broader national setback.

The DP won 12 of 16 mayoral and gubernatorial races, reinforcing President Lee Jae Myung’s political standing one year into his administration and expanding the party’s influence over local government.

But the outcome fell short of the sweep many ruling party officials had hoped for. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon kept his seat against strong headwinds,