A ballot scandal poses the first major challenge to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, potentially strengthening his political enemies, sullying his chances at a second term, and straining U.S. and Japanese security cooperation, but it could also facilitate closer economic ties with China. June 4 marked one year in office for Lee, and though his party's victory in the June 3 local elections seemed at first to be an anniversary gift, it has since transformed into a major political challenge. Lee's left-wing Democratic Party (DPK) won 12 of 16 mayoral and gubernatorial seats, a gain of seven that bolstered his leadership bona fides and seemingly underlined the disarray of the opposition People Power Party (PPP) following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's December 2024 martial law bid and subsequent impeachment in April 2025. Within hours of DPK celebrations, however, news and social media stories about ballot shortages at at least...
