South Korea’s Moon set for big win in vote amid pandemic

Bloomberg

South Korea’s ruling party may have won an outright majority in parliament in elections
held on Wednesday, in a show of confidence for President
Moon Jae-in’s handling of the pandemic that gives him fresh momentum to reshape the economy.
Moon’s Democratic Party of Korea, which had 120 seats before the vote, and its satellite party could win at least 155 places in the 300-seat National Assembly, exit polling from national public broadcaster KBS showed. Voter turnout was at about 66%, the highest in 24 years and the projected outcome may indicate a show of support for Moon’s handling of the crisis.
If confirmed, it would mark the first time in 12 years that the progressive party will have an outright majority in the country’s National Assembly. Final results may not be known until Thursday morning.
South Korea was holding the biggest election since the
coronavirus pandemic spread around the globe — and the apparent win for Moon might spur other world leaders
with good poll numbers to follow suit.
The popularity for Moon’s government’s increased following its handling of the virus in what was initially one of the world’s hardest-hit countries. New infection rates have fallen this month to their lowest levels since February.
“I went out to vote because
I believe it’s important to take part in shaping our country,
especially with the hit from the coronavirus crisis,” said Kyung-eun Lee, 29, who works at a startup and voted just outside Seoul.
The decision to hold the election contrasts with some US states that have delayed presidential primaries and France, which suspended some local elections after cases began to multiply. Poland plans to conduct its May 10 presidential election by mail-in ballot.
South Korea took precautions to keep voters safe: They were required to stand at least one metre (3 feet) apart, cover their faces, wear disposable gloves and be ready to submit to temperature checks, while voting booths were frequently disinfected. More than 1,100 candidates from 21 political parties signed up for 253 constituencies with direct elections. Another 300 candidates are fighting for 47 seats decided by support for the parties.
Still, for any leaders weighing whether to call an election — such as those in Singapore and Japan — the win for Moon’s party could show the political benefits of moving ahead with a vote despite the risks.
The virus provided an opportunity for Moon to rebuild support battered by an economic slowdown, corruption scandals involving presidential aides and resurgent tensions with North Korea. “Voters are likely to forgive previous transgressions and reward a decisive crisis response,” said Miha Hribernik, head of Asia risk analysis at consultancy Verisk Maplecroft.