{"id":2204441,"date":"2024-03-27T19:00:32","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T10:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2204441"},"modified":"2024-03-27T19:17:13","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T10:17:13","slug":"south-koreas-general-election-is-poised-to-make-or-break-yoons-agenda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/03\/south-koreas-general-election-is-poised-to-make-or-break-yoons-agenda\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea\u2019s general election is poised to make or break Yoon\u2019s agenda"},"content":{"rendered":"
The April 10 South Korean general election will be a crucial test for President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s administration, as the outcome could determine the fate of his major policy initiatives.<\/span><\/p>\n The ruling People Power Party (PPP) currently lacks the necessary strength in the National Assembly to push forward Yoon\u2019s reforms related to pensions, labor and education due to the main opposition Democratic Party\u2019s (DP) control of the legislative body.<\/span><\/p>\n The general election could thus mark a turning point for the Yoon administration if the PPP wins a parliamentary majority, paving the way for implementing his policy. But it could exacerbate political gridlock and turn him into a lame-duck president if the DP retains control.<\/span><\/p>\n EXTENSION OF THE 2022 PRESIDENTIAL RACE<\/b><\/p>\n Political observers <\/span>liken<\/span><\/a> the upcoming general election to an extension of the 2022 presidential election. Yoon Suk-yeol narrowly defeated Lee Jae-myung by just <\/span>0.73%<\/span><\/a> of the votes \u2014 the closest margin between two leading presidential candidates in South Korean history.<\/span><\/p>\n Two years later, the political landscape remains essentially unchanged, with Lee\u2019s assumption of DP leadership resulting in a continued power struggle and overall political gridlock between the two major parties.<\/span><\/p>\n During the first two years of his five-year term, Yoon <\/span>vetoed nine bills<\/span><\/a> put forward by the opposition bloc and refused to formally meet with Lee, leaving little room for cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the upcoming general election results could pave the way for talks and cooperation between the opposing sides, potentially breaking the current stalemate.<\/span><\/p>\n Cha Jae-won, a professor at the Catholic University of Pusan, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that while he believes the PPP will likely narrowly defeat the DP in the upcoming election, neither party will secure a supermajority.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe DP\u2019s substantial victory in last year\u2019s Seoul Gangseo District <\/span>by-election<\/span><\/a> indicated the ruling party\u2019s low approval rating,\u201d Cha said. \u201cBut the PPP has been gaining public support following the appointment of former justice minister <\/span>Han Dong-hoon<\/span><\/a> as its interim leader, while the DP has lost support due to <\/span>internal turmoil<\/span><\/a> over election nominations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Han demonstrated his political independence by confronting the presidential office over how to handle first lady Kim Keon-hee\u2019s acceptance of a <\/span>$2,200 Dior pouch<\/span><\/a> from an acquaintance, helping the PPP rebrand itself as an independent ruling party, Cha said.<\/span><\/p>\n However, even with a narrow victory, the PPP is unlikely to secure enough power to push its agenda without the DP\u2019s cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\n