Early voting in South Korea for the upcoming local elections has reached a historic high of 23.51%, surpassing the previous record of 20.62% in 2022. This two-day voting period concluded on Saturday, with the ruling Democratic Party interpreting the surge as a sign of support for President Lee Jae-myung's administration. Party chairman Chung Chung-rae noted that high early voting typically favors the Democratic Party, attributing this to a backlash against political events linked to the December 3 martial law crisis. Conversely, the opposition People Power Party claims the turnout reflects public dissatisfaction with the Lee government, particularly regarding housing policies. Party chairman Jang Dong-hyeok called for voters to express their discontent. Despite the high turnout, analysts warn that it is challenging to predict the election results based solely on these figures, especially given the evolving political dynamics among younger voters. The local elections, set for June 3, will not only fill mayoral and gubernatorial positions but also serve as a critical gauge of public sentiment towards the current administration following a tumultuous political year.