South Korea’s prime minister and senior officials have offered to resign en masse after the parliamentary elections dealt a significant blow to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s party. The liberal opposition forces have secured control of parliament until after Yoon completes his term in 2027, which is likely to set back his domestic agenda and weaken his grip on the party. Yoon’s office has not confirmed whether he will accept the resignations, but experts predict that he will face an intensifying political offensive from the opposition in the next three years.
With most of the votes counted, the main opposition Democratic Party and its satellite party have won a combined 175 seats in the 300-member National Assembly, while Yoon’s ruling People Power Party has obtained 108 seats. The high voter turnout for the election, the highest since 1992, indicates significant interest and engagement from South Korean voters. The final official results were expected later Thursday, as the incoming parliament is set to begin meetings on May 30 for a four-year term.
Ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon announced his resignation after the election defeat, taking responsibility for the party’s shortcomings. Yoon Suk Yeol, a former top prosecutor who took office in 2022, is expected to remain in power, with his major foreign policies likely remaining unchanged. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, who lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon, praised the results of the parliamentary elections as a victory for the people. Both ruling and opposition parties are urged to work together to address economic and public livelihood problems in South Korea.
The resignations of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and senior presidential advisers to President Yoon Suk Yeol reflect the aftermath of the elections’ outcome, which has shifted the balance of power in parliament. The liberal opposition forces’ control of parliament is expected to pose challenges to Yoon’s administration and domestic agenda in the coming years. While Yoon is set to remain in power, he will likely face increased pressure from the opposition and the need to address various political and economic issues in South Korea.
The election results have highlighted the public’s concerns and priorities as they vote for parliamentary representatives, with a focus on economic and public livelihood issues. The high voter turnout indicates a strong interest and engagement from the South Korean electorate in shaping the country’s future political landscape. The incoming parliament is expected to address a range of challenges and opportunities, with both ruling and opposition parties urged to work together to find solutions that benefit the people of South Korea.
In a news conference, Han Dong-hoon apologized to the people on behalf of his party for not meeting their expectations in the election. Yoon Suk Yeol’s presidency is expected to continue with its major foreign policies unchanged, despite the setback in the parliamentary elections. The new political landscape in South Korea will likely shape the course of the country’s governance and policy-making in the coming years, as both ruling and opposition parties navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.
