South Korea votes for new parliament in test for Yoon
South Koreans are voting for a new parliament, which is widely regarded as a midterm evaluation of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration.
Although Yoon still has three years remaining in his term, his People Power Party (PPP) has encountered difficulties in advancing its agenda due to the opposition dominance in the legislature, primarily by the Democratic Party (DPK).
The polling outcomes have been mixed, with neither major party enjoying a particularly strong campaign season.
Yoon is facing mounting pressure to tackle various issues, including the surge in food prices, the rapidly ageing population, and an ongoing doctor’s strike. Criticism has been levelled at him in recent weeks for seeming disconnected from the public’s concerns about inflation, yet the opposition has also faced similar reproach.
If the PPP fails to secure a strong representation, Yoon could leave office with few achievements beyond his foreign policy. His biggest success has been building relations with Japan and the US to counter China and North Korea.
The president, whose approval ratings have been on the decline for months, has additionally grappled with a series of political scandals since his election in March 2022.
