INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Vote counting is underway in South Korea as the country awaits the results of its parliamentary elections.The election is widely seen as a
struggled to achieve its agenda in a legislature dominated by the opposition Democratic Party (DPK).Mr Yoon is under pressure to address a
opposition will secure a majority of the 300-seat parliament, though such polls have proved inaccurate in the past.In recent weeks, Mr Yoon
But the opposition has also faced similar criticism.If the exit polls prove accurate and the PPP fails to secure a strong representation, Mr
Yoon could leave office with little to show for his time, other than his foreign policy achievements.His major success has been building up
relations with Japan and the US to counter China and North Korea.But that will have little bearing on this election
South Koreans will be voting in line with their wallets more than anything.The president, whose approval rating has been falling for months,
has also battled a series of political scandals since he was elected in March 2022.A hot mic caught him swearing in September that year
after a meeting with US President Joe Biden in New York
His wife Kim Keon Hee has been embroiled in a controversy for allegedly accepting a luxury bag gift, while separate corruption and abuse of
power allegations have been levelled at senior members of his party.Most pressingly for voters however may be cost-of-living concerns.Just
last month, Mr Yoon drew flak for a visit to a Seoul grocery store where he commented that a bundle of green onions priced at 875 won
political controversies and internal struggles, and has also faced corruption allegations.Voter discontent with both major parties could
parties [contesting] this election which is pretty extraordinary
University.But she added that, even with voter disillusionment, the main competition remains between the PPP and the DPK, neither of whom
recently married finance worker.An 81-year-old pensioner, Kim Geun-su, said he was struggling with the price of food
in South Korea has become
representatives in the National Assembly - which makes up 254 seats in the 300-seat parliament
They also vote for a political party, which then allocates the share of the remaining 46 proportional representation seats to party
years.Source: BBC
-Agencies
