2024-04-10 00:17:29
Foreign media outlets seem to be looking at Korea’s April 10 general election, which elects members of the National Assembly, as a competition between President Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. The fact that Representative Lee, who faced President Yoon in the last presidential election, is campaigning as the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party appears to be having a significant impact.
On the 9th, a day before the general election, the foreign media outlet’s view was that the Korean general election, scheduled to be held the next day (10th), was a showdown between President Yoon and Representative Lee. In particular, it is predicted that if the People Power Party (ruling party), of which President Yoon is a member, is again pushed aside by the opposition party in this election, it will not be easy for President Yoon to actively pursue policies during the remaining term.
The New York Times (NYT) in the U.S. said, “Korean politics has long been dominated by revenge and resentment, so it has become a retaliatory ‘gladiator’s arena.’” “The April 10 general election is ostensibly about 300 seats in the National Assembly, but in the end, it is a ‘gladiator’s arena.’” He diagnosed, “It is also an expression of support for one of the two leaders (President Yoon and Representative Lee) who are trapped in ‘gladiator politics’.”
The NYT said, “Many analysts expect polarization to increase due to the election,” and added, “Issues of interest to the public, such as people’s livelihood, economy, low birth rate, and welfare, will be pushed to the background.”
Reuters also pointed out, “President Yoon is not running in this election, but this vote is nonetheless seen as a referendum on President Yoon and his nemesis, former Representative Lee.”
However, Reuters reported, “Experts believe that Korea’s foreign policy, which has pursued close relations with the United States and Japan under President Yoon, will not change significantly no matter who wins (this election).”
AFP said, “This election is an election to vote on whether President Yoon can pursue a socially conservative agenda (in the remaining term),” and added, “If the People Power Party becomes a minority party even after the general election, cooperation with the National Assembly will be very difficult.” “It was analyzed.
Japan’s Nihon Keizai (Nikkei) newspaper said, “In the current National Assembly, the ruling party, the People Power Party, is in the minority, and President Yoon cannot pass a budget plan or bill without the participation of the opposition party.” He said, “The president’s foreign policy and administration are strongly criticized and his uncooperative attitude is noticeable.”
He added, “The opposition party intends to lead to victory in the next presidential election in 2027 by maintaining a majority in the general election,” adding, “If the ruling party suffers a crushing defeat, the structure in which the opposition-majority National Assembly puts pressure on the president will become stronger.”
In particular, Nikkei said, “Under the past administration, there was a movement to gain support with an ‘anti-Japanese card’ that stimulated territorial and historical issues between Korea and Japan,” adding, “Even if the ruling party loses in this election, the scenario in which President Yoon switches to anti-Japanese is unlikely.” “There are many who point out that it is difficult to think about, but there is a possibility that it will be difficult to come up with a strong plan to improve relations with Japan,” he predicted.
Nikkei said, “Korea has a strong foundation for both conservatism and innovation, but the trends of the ‘capital Seoul area’ (Seoul/metropolitan area) and ‘young people’, where there are likely to be many undecided votes, are likely to determine victory or defeat.” “Especially in Korea,” Nikkei said. “The voting behavior of young people in their 20s and 30s, known as the ‘MZ generation,’ is attracting attention in determining the success or failure of each party,” he analyzed.
Reuters and Nikkei also paid attention to the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, launched by former Justice Minister Cho Kuk as the party leader.
Reuters reported that in a poll released late last month, more than 20% of voters said they would vote for the Fatherland Innovation Party, and that “the rise of a third party is surprising in a situation where the two major parties dominate politics.” Nikkei also reported, “More than 30% of the 40s and 50s generation, whose school days began in 1987 when the declaration of democratization was announced, gather in the Fatherland Innovation Party.”
Nikkei also pointed out that “it is a structure in which (the Democratic Party and the Fatherland Innovation Party) divide anti-government votes.”
(Seoul = News 1)
2024-04-10 00:17:29