Cybersecurity
South Korea Ruling Party Routed as Weak Economy Saps Support
- Rising unemployment, sluggish growth turn voters against Park
- Results confound predictions of big gains for ruling party
Park Geun-Hye.
Photographer: South Korean Presidential Blue House via Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
President Park Geun Hye’s ruling party was routed in South Korea’s parliamentary elections as voters frustrated over rising joblessness and the president’s leadership denied her a majority and dampened her economic reform plans.
The opposition Minjoo Party won 123 seats in the 300-seat National Assembly on Wednesday, edging out the ruling Saenuri Party’s 122 seats, according to final results from the National Election Commission. Pre-election polls showed Saenuri extending its hold, with some media outlets projecting the possibility of a 180-seat super-majority that would’ve let Park fast-track legislation. The People’s Party secured 38 seats.