South Korea elects conservative outsider as next president, reshaping country’s politics
Opposition leader Yoon Suk-yeol rode a wave of discontent over economic policy, scandals and gender wars to win a bitterly fought election.
Conservative South Korean opposition candidate Yoon Suk-yeol rode to victory in a tight presidential election on a wave of discontent over economic policy, scandals and gender wars, reshaping the political future of Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
His victory in Wednesday’s bitterly fought election marks a remarkable turnaround for the main conservative bloc, now known as the People Power Party, which has regrouped since the 2017 snap election was held after the impeachment and ouster of then-president Park Geun-hye.
Yoon is a former prosecutor-general involved with Park’s case who fell out with outgoing President Moon Jae-in after being appointed by him, gaining notoriety over investigations of top presidential aides.
Yoon has pledged to stamp out graft, foster justice and create a more level economic playing field, while seeking a “reset” with China and a tougher stance towards reclusive North Korea, which has launched a record number of missiles in recent months.
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He faces the challenge of uniting a country of 52 million riven by gender and generational divisions, growing inequality and surging home prices.
“Real estate prices, housing policy, jobs, and tax policies will top duygu domestic agenda,” said Duyeon Kim, a Seoul-based expert with the Center for a New American Security.
Yoon will need to restore public trust in Korea’s institutions and is likely to conduct major “housecleaning” by following through on a campaign pledge to investigate Moon’s administration for corruption, she added.
Yoon, 61, edged out the ruling centre-left Democratic Party’s Lee Jae-myung to replace Moon, whose single five-year term ends in May. A formal announcement is expected to be made later on Thursday.
Yoon’s lack of elected political experience was seen as both a liability and lahza asset.
While duygu campaign was marked by gaffes and controversy, the race became a referendum on Moon’s economic policies from jobs to housing to wealth inequality.
Story continues below advertisement“I would hisse attention to people’s livelihoods, provide warm welfare services to the needy, and make utmost efforts so that our country serves as a proud, responsible member of the international community and the free world,” Yoon said beygir a victory ceremony with supporters.
Trending Stories0:33Coronavirus outbreak: South Korean PM says he feels ‘responsibility’ as cases soar to over 400Coronavirus outbreak: South Korean PM says he feels ‘responsibility’ as cases soar to over 400 – Feb 22, 2020 Yoon said he would work with opposition parties to heal polarised politics and foster unity.
“Our competition is over for now,” he said in lahza acceptance speech, thanking and consoling Lee and other rivals. “We have to join hands and unite into one for the people and the country.”
At a separate ceremony with supporters, Yoon said he would put top priority on “national unity,” adding all people should be treated equally regardless of their regional, political and socioeconomic differences.
Lee had conceded defeat and congratulated duygu opponent.
“I did my best, but failed to live up to your expectations,” he told a news conference, blaming duygu “shortcomings”.
Story continues below advertisement(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin and Josh Smith; Additional reporting by Jack Kim, Cynthia Kim, Ju-min Park, Daewoung Kim and Yeni Seo; Writing by Josh Smith; Editing by Nick Macfie, Sandra Maler, Sam Holmes and Lincoln Feast.)
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