South Korean opposition is confident of a landslide victory in the elections

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, addresses the media in Seoul after exit poll results were released. Credit : CHUN SONG JUN/GETTY IMAGES ASIAPAC

South Korea's opposition was expected to win a landslide victory in Wednesday's parliamentary elections, a result that could leave President Yoon Seok-yeol a lame duck for the remaining three years if confirmed. in office.

Opposition parties, including the main Democratic Party (DP), are projected to win up to 197 seats in the 300-member National Assembly, up from 156 in the last parliamentary term, according to exit polls. .

The result saw Mr Yun's People Power Party (PPP) and its supporters win between 85 and 99 seats, after a lackluster campaign in which he was ridiculed for not knowing the price of green onions.

If the opposition DP or broader opposition does record a significant victory, it would likely create a risk of internal political deadlock for the presidential administration.

While Yoon's foreign and defense policies are unlikely to be affected by the parliamentary challenge, his efforts to cut corporate taxes, business-friendly reforms and recruit more medical students now risk stalling.

The president's approval ratings are already low in as a result of rising food prices and the cost of living, a violent doctors' strike and several political scandals.

South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol voted early in the elections Photo: YONHAP

And this despite several notable foreign policy achievements over the past two years.

The US praised Yun for his bold steps to overcome historical differences with neighboring Japan to build up trilateral political and military ties and counter China's growing regional influence and growing threats from North Korea.

However, such successes have not attracted much interest from voters who are struggling to make ends meet.

During the election campaign, Mr Yoon was accused of being out of touch when he picked up a government-subsidized bunch of green onions and remarked that the price of 875 won (51p) was «reasonable».

Democratic Party supporters hold signs during an election rally in Gimpo, South Korea, over the weekend Photo: SEON JUN CHO/BLOOMBERG

The actual retail price is up to 4,000 won (£2.34). Since then, the gaffe has been repeatedly used by the opposition to mock the president's party, with displays of green onions appearing at election rallies.

Yoon's administration has also struggled with negative headlines over the appointment of Lee Jong-Ha. soup, a former defense minister, as envoy to Australia during a corruption investigation, and controversy over the First Lady's alleged acceptance of a luxury bag.

Earlier this year, hidden camera footage emerged of Kim Keon-hee accepting a Dior handbag from a pastor known for calling for closer ties with North Korea. Mr Yoon claims she was the victim of a political ploy.

However, Lee Jae-myung, the opposition leader, also faces corruption charges related to a real estate development and bribery charges related to a football club that he led as mayor of the city, all of which he denies.

Mother and daughter vote in parliamentary elections Photo: AN YONG -JUN/AP

The leaders of the two main parties that have historically dominated South Korean politics have struggled to win over the electorate, and Mr. Lee lost to Mr. Yoon by just 0.73 percent in the 2022 presidential election. poll.

Public antipathy towards them could create more opportunities for smaller parties to gain seats and greater political influence in parliament.

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