South Korea's Politics in Action: A Watershed Presidential Election

Today, South Koreans vote for a new president. The two front-runners, progressive ruling Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Suk-yeol of the main conservative opposition People Power Party, are neither vetted nor experienced politicians. Yet, the race is tight. As the focus has largely been on domestic political issues, the spotlight is on younger voters, seen as the “kingmakers” in this election. Their diverging views on gender issues and attitudes towards China have brought more complexity to an already very polarized electorate. On the other hand, South Korea’s population is aging fast. This challenges the next administration in terms of the role of tech in handling the demographic cliff and of Korea’s willingness to accommodate a more liberal immigration regime. Most of the issues driving this race mark a noteworthy departure from the past, with significant implications for the future of South Korea’s society. What do they tell us about the country’s current political, social, and economic trends and faultlines? What are the key legacies of the Moon Jae-in presidency?