The high-level local governments of South Korea consist of one Special City, six Metropolitan Cities, one Special Self-Governing City, eight Provinces, and two Special Self-Governing Province, totalling up to 17 governing councils. The head of the city is referred as the mayor and that of the province as the governor. These Local government heads are elected by direct popular vote for a four-year term. The head of the local government can also be re-elected for up to three terms.[1]
Currently, the People Power Party holds 12 local governments out of 17, comprising seven mayors and five governors. The other 5 local governments are headed by the Democratic Party of Korea, comprising one mayor and four governors.[2][3]