Seoul's next mayor will set city policy on housing, transport, and urban development while shaping municipal budgets and public services.
Whoever wins will influence national party momentum and local implementation of major projects for the next four-year term.
Oh Se-hoon, Cho Eun-hee, Ahn Cheol-soo, Park Yong-jin, and Chong Won-oh are among the prominent candidates.
Also on ballots are Hong Ihk-pyo, Cho Kuk, Na Kyung-won, Han Dong-hoon, Park Ju-min, Park Hong-keun, Seo Young-kyo, Jeon Hyun-heui, and Kim Min-seok representing major parties and independents.
Polling shifts, turnout differences by age and district, and candidates' performance in televised debates move short-term probabilities.
High-profile endorsements, campaign spending, legal rulings or scandals, and concrete promises on housing and transit can change momentum rapidly.
June 2026 election day and the preceding weeks of debates, major rallies, and campaign pushes are the immediate timing milestones.
Track district-level polls, early-voting pace, endorsements from national figures, any last-minute court decisions, and exit-poll turnout patterns on election night.