Incumbent South Korean President Moon Jae-in is in power party rushed to regroup on Friday, while his direction resigned en masse after a devastating election defeat, she still holds enough seats to potentially thwart the new the President’s agenda.
Conservative opposition candidate Yoon Suk-yeol, a former attorney-general and novice in politics, won The nearest election in South Korea in decades on Wednesday, tapping on voter disillusionment over soaring real estate prices, worsening inequality, and scandals involving Moon’s aides.
All the direction of the ruling Democratic Party team resigned on Thursday, take responsibility for the result leaving the party172 lawmakers and other officials to come together on Friday to analyze failure and draw the way forward.
There were signs of discord among Democrats.
Some have called for introspection and need shake off perceptions of arrogance, while others said that the top priority should to be placed on June elections of heads of local governments on a national scale, not leadership change.
Despite the defeat, the Democrats will retain their solid majority in the 300-seat monocabin parliament until the next election in 2024, i.e. their support is essential for Yoon to pass new legislation, approve budgets and appoint Cabinet ministers.
“The government will change, but the power balance in parliament won’t be,” said Shin Yul, a political official science professor at Myongji University.
“How Yoon would handle the unbalanced structure would be keyet in in order to obtain the cooperation of the opposition, he need strong public support behind any policy drive.”
Agenda in Check
Yoon promised after his victory to heal polarized politics embrace the haters and work with the Democrats.
But the blues campaign marred by scandals, slanders and blunders have revealed bitter feelings on both sides, highlighting the challenges Yoon does face when he is sworn in in May.
Prior to his resignation, the Democratic president said last week Yoon would be a “vegetative president” who would like struggle for run the government with decision party occupant just 105 seats.
Yoon recounted a gathering on On Tuesday, some Democrats said that if he was elected they would disturb son government and rally dissidents in his party.
Democrats are exploring how to keep Yoon conservative agenda in cheque, including his promise to buy an additional American THAAD missile systemdont Yoon campaign estimated would be cost up at 1.5 trillion won. ($1.2 billion)
Yoon said the system was necessary to strengthen the capital area tusks against The Evolution of North Korea’s Missile Threats.
But Democrats have expressed strong resistance, saying it risks economic retaliation from China, which argues the equipment is powerful a radar could penetrate son territory.
Shin said early test could be the local government election in June, and confirmation hearings when Yoon appoints Cabinet ministers after taking office.
Moon had been criticized for name the highest number of nominated without bipartisan approval in the country’s democracy history.
“The jugement party had faced backlash after using its majority to move forward with son agenda without consensus,” Shin said. “They know they still have play a role in promote bipartisanship politics, with their power in parliament.”
