{"id":2200676,"date":"2023-04-10T19:50:44","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T10:50:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2200676"},"modified":"2023-04-11T18:28:11","modified_gmt":"2023-04-11T09:28:11","slug":"how-south-koreas-political-parties-are-preparing-for-upcoming-campaign-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/04\/how-south-koreas-political-parties-are-preparing-for-upcoming-campaign-season\/","title":{"rendered":"How South Korea\u2019s political parties are preparing for upcoming campaign season"},"content":{"rendered":"
Political campaigns will begin dominating South Korea\u2019s political discourse in the fall as parliamentary elections are one year away. The election\u2019s outcome, shaped by voters\u2019 desire to punish or reward President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s performance, will be vital for the country\u2019s two major parties \u2014 the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the main opposition Democratic Party (DP).<\/span><\/p>\n As the two major parties will battle one another for control of the legislature, this <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> analysis will explore the two parties\u2019 prospects, challenges and goals.<\/span><\/p>\n THE PEOPLE POWER PARTY\u2019S PROSPECTS<\/b><\/p>\n Much is at stake for Yoon and the PPP. Depending on the election\u2019s results, Yoon will either be able to begin his legislative agenda in earnest or will begin his lame-duck status just three years into his presidency.<\/span><\/p>\n The DP holds <\/span>169 seats<\/span><\/a>, whereas the PPP has 115 seats in the 300-seat unicameral legislative body.<\/span><\/p>\n But even if the PPP secures a majority, Yoon will not enjoy unrestrained power. Yoon will still be limited by the <\/span>2014 National Assembly Advancement Act<\/span><\/a>, which requires a party to have at least 180 seats, or three-fifths of parliament, to pass legislation without worrying about the opposing party\u2019s ability to filibuster.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This is a difficult feat, as it has only been achieved twice in the country\u2019s political history.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the challenges, <\/span>political<\/span><\/a> commentators<\/span><\/a> expect the conservative PPP to gain more seats in the upcoming elections \u2014 particularly in the Seoul metropolitan area and Chungcheong Province \u2014 as the DP does not enjoy the kind of support it did in 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n The 2020 elections were unique due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then-President Moon Jae-in\u2019s <\/span>high approval ratings<\/span><\/a>, which helped to boost the DP\u2019s popularity. However, <\/span>polls<\/span><\/a> now indicate that both parties have similar approval ratings \u2014 the DP enjoys a 33% approval rate while the PPP\u2019s is 32%.<\/span><\/p>\n The question is whether the PPP will gain enough seats to attain a majority in the National Assembly for the next four years. To maximize their gains, <\/span>cabinet ministers<\/span><\/a> who used to be lawmakers will resign and return to their previous positions, as South Korea\u2019s <\/span>Public Official Election Act<\/span><\/a> requires cabinet members to resign from their posts at least 90 days before election day.<\/span><\/p>\n Yoon will also likely <\/span>remove<\/span><\/a> opponents from key party positions and replace them with his supporters. This will likely result in numerous former ministers, vice ministers, and administration secretaries among the PPP\u2019s prospective candidates.<\/span><\/p>\n One potential game-changer could be justice minister Han Dong-hoon, who is immensely <\/span>popular<\/span><\/a> among conservatives. If he decides to run for election, he could attract considerable support.<\/span><\/p>\n