South Korea elects members of parliament The government hopes to compete for a majority in order to survive.

South Korea’s president hopes to count votes from parliamentary voters that could decide the survival of his government. After the popularity vote continued to drop sharply

Voting at a polling station in Seoul During the South Korean parliamentary elections on April 10 (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP)

AFP reports on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, said South Koreans came out to exercise their right to elect members of parliament that will determine the direction of the government. Amid the trend of the president’s popularity continuing to decline.

Before the next presidential election, government leader Yun Seok-yeol and South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung Each wants to grab a majority to control power in parliament as a base and advantage in major elections.

But growing dissatisfaction with the president and the many scandals surrounding opposition leaders who were assassinated earlier this year It may encourage votes to be transferred to other parties. This is especially true of young voters in a country with a population of over 51 million.

Yoon defeated Lee in South Korea’s closest presidential election in 2022 and has stood up to North Korea’s nuclear threat from his first day in office. At the same time, it improved relations with Washington and former colonial power Japan.

For Lee, even he must contend with a bribery investigation that he blames for political destruction. But he has patiently built up power in the current parliament and hopes to win more seats from this election. So that his Democratic Party of Korea has enough voice to impeach Yoon.

Since the beginning of his tenure as President Yoon’s popularity has not increased at all. His ratings have dropped as low as 30 and his South Korean People’s Power Party lacks a majority in parliament. This creates a serious obstacle to his enactment of social conservatism. This includes a medical reform plan supported by voters. But it has sparked a nationwide strike by medical groups.

Analysts say With the lowest birth rate in the world, Yoon Seok-yeol may win more base votes from people aged 60 and over than people in their 20s and 30s. Older voters are believed to be the voters. The 60-year-old represents a formidable conservative base for Yoon and his party.

Due to the social situation of competition Younger Koreans are less likely to vote or even be interested in politics.

The new generation still faces economic struggles, fierce competition in education, and fewer job opportunities. and sky-high housing costs This makes them focus mainly on their social and financial status. This is different from elderly people who have retired and have more time to focus on politics than to make ends meet.

Voting will end at 6:00 p.m. local time (4:00 p.m. Thailand time).

Latest exit poll results Opposition parties swept the seats by a landslide and could take more than 200 of the 300 seats, which would make Yoon Seok-yeol’s government a lame duck and a difficult position to govern for the remaining three years.