Voters in South Korea cast their ballots on Wednesday in legislative elections that are largely seen as a test of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol’s popularity.

A failure by Yoon’s governing People Power Party to restore a majority in parliament could see him become a lame duck for the rest of a term that lasts until 2027.

What’s the background to the vote?

Since he took office in 2022 for a single five-year term, Yoon has been hampered by low approval ratings and a liberal opposition-controlled parliament that has thwarted his policy platform.

Ahead of the election, Yoon’s conservative supporters and their liberal rivals traded toxic rhetoric in a sign of a deepening political polarization. 

Failure by Yoon’s governing People Power Party to restore a parliamentary majority could further damage a push to pursue his policies. 

Yoon is pushing for healthcare reforms that are backed by many voters but have precipitated a damaging strike by doctors, as well as a pledge to abolish a gender equality ministry.

A deep conservative-liberal division worsened during the country’s 2022 presidential election when the battle between Yoon and his main liberal rival Lee Jae-myung became personal. Yoon eventually beat Lee by a wafer-thin margin.

One potential spoiler for Yoon is a minor opposition party, Reforming Korea, launched by disgraced former justice minister Cho Kuk who is facing a jail term for corruption.

Pre-election surveys show that the liberal opposition parties are likely to hold onto a strong position in South Korea’s single-chamber, 300-member National Assembly.

rc/ab (AFP, AP)