As South Koreans prepare to cast their ballots for a new 300-member parliament, issues such as rising prices of essential goods and the ongoing doctors’ strikes are dominating discussions, overshadowing traditional concerns like North Korean threats and U.S. security commitments.
Kim Yun-ah, a 45-year-old Seoul office worker, reflects the sentiment of many voters: “I feel drawn to someone who talks about things that can be truly helpful to our neighborhoods.”
Experts estimate that up to 40% of South Korea’s 44 million voters are politically neutral, making their support crucial in determining the election outcome.
Moderates Hold Key
South Korea’s political landscape is sharply divided between conservatives and liberals, but a growing number of moderates are disillusioned with partisan politics. These moderates prioritize livelihood issues such as prices, jobs, and taxes over ideological divisions.
Choi Jin, director of the Institute of Presidential Leadership in Seoul, emphasizes the significance of moderate voters: “The fate of an election is rather determined by the moderates who silently monitor livelihood issues and decide who to vote for.”
Green Onions Stir Controversy
A casual remark by President Yoon Suk Yeol about the price of green onions has sparked criticism. Yoon’s comment praising the affordability of green onions drew backlash as prices soared to historic highs in recent weeks.
The ruling People Power Party faced further scrutiny as opposition candidates seized on the issue, accusing Yoon of being out of touch with economic realities.
Doctors’ Strikes
Thousands of doctors in South Korea are engaged in strikes protesting against government plans to increase medical school admissions. While the government argues the move is necessary to address the country’s low doctor-to-population ratio, critics fear it could strain medical resources and compromise quality.
Toxic Rhetoric
The election campaign has been marred by derogatory language and personal attacks between rival parties. Insults hurled at candidates reflect the intense polarization in South Korean politics, with words like “nabe” and “trash” being used to discredit opponents.
The election race also features former justice minister Cho Kuk, whose political ambitions have been marred by scandal and controversy, adding another layer of complexity to the political landscape.
