Korea’s 2024 general elections are over, and the results are clear. It is the opposing party’s resounding victory. The progressive Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) won 175 out of 300 National Assembly seats, including proportional representation. The opposition bloc that includes the DPK and other smaller parties boasts of as many as 192 seats collectively, way over the desired three-fifths majority that will give them a significant boost of power in state affairs.

The opposition’s victory was expected. Only two years into his 5-year term, Yoon and his administration have been the subject of mounting criticisms for its handling of various domestic as well as diplomatic affairs. Midterm elections are often considered a referendum on the incumbent, and the results showed voters’ clear disappointment with the president and his party. The record-high voter turnout of 67 percent is also telling: In many elections, voters usually turn out in big numbers to show their disapproval toward the ruling party or the president.

The election results also illustrate some other interesting but worrisome trends in Korean politics and society. First, it appears that the opposition party largely won not so much by........

© The Korea Times