Upcoming South Korean Elections
South Korea’s parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place on April 10th. Less than a week until people in huge numbers would be expected to jam the polling stations to elect the 300 member National Assembly – unicameral body vested with legislative powers.
On the battlefield are two national parties , each demonstrating parallel ideologies. Amid the changing beliefs – reshaping of personal values among the Korean population, the answer to a solid outcome is more than ever “inconclusive”. This lack of absolute prediction spawns from the 2022 Presidential elections, when the ruling – People Power Party (PPP) defeated the Opposition in a razor-thin victory.
The impending elections will serve true testament for the incumbent President – Yoon Suk Yeol who lost majority control in the national assembly to his opposition – Democratic Party of Korea(DPK) in the 2020 parliamentary elections.
The shortage of party support in the assembly has over the years fractured Mr. Yoon’s desire for the implementation of several key reform programs.
An electoral victory will add significant momentum to his party leadership legitimizing his decision making authority in four key domains – healthcare, education, labor and national pension-system. Single-chamber control will henceforth, revitalize his pro-west ideology – further fueling South Korea to become a close defense ally of United States
But if the opposition tossed a majority-winning side, then it will further paralyze Mr. Yoon’s yearning for policy-change which in long-run will have a reverberating impact on his future as the President.
South Korea’s Political Polarization
South Korea’s entire political climate is forecasted under the authorization of two-party dominance – Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and People Power Party (PPP).
Ideologically conflicting, these two parties anticipate an individually unique motherland – which has inflated an inner divide. This divide is also rooted in the age-disparity which downsizes party preference among voters belonging to a particular age group.
The Democratic Party of Korea recognizes progressive measures to upscale growth, a manifesto, according to recent polls, appealing largely to the young, liberally charged age-slot.
But for an aging nation, the pool of senior-citizens overshadow the voice of youngsters, deepening the inner-divide. South Korea – populated majorly by citizens categorized as elderly, unfit and pension-thirsty, the conservatives do extract a strong party support.
This duopolistic nature of the party system has disturbed the democratic essence of the country, discouraging multi-party representation for a fair voting experience.
The lack of accountability is reflective of the continues exploits of power by party members who are ousted for scandalous allegations only to be substituted by another power-hungry individual rebranded under the party name.
In an effort to welcome multi-party participation, Korea adopted a mixed member proportional representation system (MMPR) to decelerate political mass-murder exercised by mainstream parties.
Despite the good intention behind the adoption of the MMPR system, it exacerbated political exploitation – For it stimulated further party dominance through vote-count manipulation by party leaders.
Issues concerning South Korea
Some critical issues have not only sabotaged peaceful commune but influenced the minds of the voters. The soaring cost of routine medical supplies – for an aging nation – in consequence to the ongoing doctor strike has slumped the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
The incumbent President has a depreciating approval-rating, suggests the recent survey, especially among voters in their 50s and younger. Adding to his already unpopular image is First Lady Kim Keon- hee’s swirl of scandalous controversies including the Dior Bag Controversy
The liberal party had its anthem against the ruling conservatives for keeping an ‘uncheck’ eye on the inflating consumer good prices and calling veto on a parliamentary bill that would have launched an independent investigation into allegations of corruption against the First Lady.
Against the pool of allegations targeting party leaders and their associates, there are numerous unresolved issues concerning South Korea – rapidly aging population, slowing economy, growing missile and nuclear threats from North Korea and a widening income gap.
