South Koreans Vote for New Parliament in Referendum on President’s Popularity #

South Koreans have cast their votes to elect a new parliament in a closely contested race that is being seen as a test of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s popularity. The president’s approval ratings have suffered due to a cost-of-living crisis and a series of political scandals. As of 2 p.m., nearly 25 million people, or 56.4% of eligible voters, had already voted, with a high turnout that surpasses previous parliamentary elections. The opposition Democratic Party has accused President Yoon’s conservative People Power Party of mismanaging the economy and failing to control inflation. A big win for the opposition could create a crisis, but opinion polls suggest that the Democratic Party is likely to secure a majority. A third-party force led by former justice minister Cho Kuk is also expected to win a dozen seats. The election is seen as a retrospective on President Yoon’s performance and a reflection of the country’s political divisions. Corruption has been a significant campaign issue, with several figures, including opposition leaders, facing legal troubles. Official results are expected to be released on Thursday, but exit polls will provide an early indication of the outcome. Foreign policy is not expected to undergo significant changes regardless of the election result.