The Korean Parliamentary Elections Are Over

As far as the election goes, you can read about it here. The ruling party of President Lee Myung-bak won 152 of 300 seats, losing a few but retaining a majority. Voter turnout was 54% even though the day was a national holiday. While Presidential turnout is higher, the impression I've got is that most Koreans just can't be bothered with either party. One was led by a guy who killed himself rather than face corruption charges and the other, the ruling party, is led by a guy who's pro-business legislation makes Ronald Reagan look like a socialist. There are a few third party guys but I get the impression that most Koreans would rather just enjoy a day off. I haven't yet talked to one who voted. In 25 years Korea shed off its dictators and became a real democracy and then became sick of the rampant corruption and back door dealings between lobbyists, business, and politicians and are now just as cynical as westerners. It's really a beautiful thing :)

This despite massive and noisy campaigning by those seeking office. In my district we had vans blaring music, candidates in bars chatting to people and some fantastic names such as Seo Young deok (say it in an Australian or NZ accent) and Kim Boo Gi.

here's Young deok. He has power.

Boo Gi's party van and giant inflatable head.

Here's Kim Won Lee, he's number 3.

It's actually nice to see the candidates out meeting people and chatting, though vans blasting voting music from 10-9 is a bit much. Also, every candidate has a number, so if you're not sure who to vote for, pick your favourite number and go. Although I guess it does prevent some election misadventures such as those that happened in Florida in 2000. I also like that most jobs give you the DAY off, or at least the morning (like 9-2). In Canada you get a four hour block at your employers discretion, though it is not enforced and in the U.S, well better do it on your lunch break or don't bother at all (really keeps the poor from voting too much). I had to work but many didn't. I didn't lead to much of a turnout, but as I said that may be a reflection of the choice of candidates rather than a lack of interest on the part of the average Korean. Also, not voting is still seen as a sign of protest, rather than apathy which it as seen as in the west. I actually really like that. Give me someone who isn't in bed with lobbyists and I'll vote for them, otherwise I'm staying home or going out for a beer.

As to the mechanics: Presidential elections are once every five years and the presidents are limited to one term. This has the advantage of getting bums out quickly but the common accusation is that once a leader is in he doesn't care about anyone but the guys lining his pocket, which has an element of truth to it. The legislature (done on the British system of candidates in ridings with 40 something given seats based on proportional representation and they don't represent a district but "the people") has elections every four years and you can be re-elected. This is the first year that both Presidential and senatorial elections have happened in the same year.

The ruling conservative party is led by Lee Myung-bak but his successor will be the daughter of former military dictator Park Chung-hee. President Park, while a vicious dictator at times, was much better than the dictator he replaced (Syngman Lee) and the guy who killed Park and became the dictator,Chun Doo-hwan. Park was the man most responsible for Korea's transformation from a country on par with Cambodia to a member of the G20. His tenure was also seen as a time when, if you worked hard, you could get ahead even if you weren't the son of a Samsung executive; this is not the case now. His daughter, and the party, are hoping to cash in on his popularity and a bit of voter nostalgia to win re-election (something they are not otherwise predicted to do). The opposition is in shambles despite the fact that they could be making huge gains.