Despite the Democratic Party’s (DP) landslide victory in the recent 22nd general election, securing 171 seats to the People Power Party’s (PPP) 108, the DP suffered a defeat in Gangwon Province.

The PPP clinched six out of the eight seats in the province, with the DP losing one seat compared to the 2020 election. Gangwon Province, the least densely populated province in South Korea, is traditionally a swing state in Korean politics, with the two major parties enjoying relatively even support.