Pre-Election Polls Give Ruling Party Solid Lead

The ruling Minjoo Party is expected to be the clear winner in 14 out of 17 major electoral districts in local elections next week, according to a poll released on Wednesday.

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party is seen winning only in its traditional strongholds of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, while an independent candidate is in the lead on Jeju Island.

The main opposition party, however, claims that everything is still to play for and the poll does not reflect "shy" support.

Broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS announced polls conducted from last Sunday to Tuesday. In Seoul, Minjoo candidate and incumbent Mayor Park Won-soon is expected to win 49.3 percent of the vote, miles ahead of runner-up Kim Moon-soo of the LKP with 13.6 percent and Bareun Party candidate Ahn Cheol-soo with 10.7 percent.

In the race for Gyeonggi Province mayor, Minjoo candidate and former Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung is expected to romp home with 48.6 percent, with LKP candidate and incumbent Nam Kyung-pil trailing with 19.4 percent and Bareun candidate Kim Young-hwan with 1.9 percent.

In by-elections for the National Assembly, the Minjoo Party is in the lead in 11 out of 12 constituencies and the Liberty Korea Party in none.