[21st General Election] COVID-19, Prosecution, Verbal Abuse, Impeachment Claims... United Party's 'Obstruction' Defeat

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, is bowing his head after expressing his intention to resign as party leader, taking responsibility for the election results, at the comprehensive vote counting situation room set up in the National Assembly on the 15th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is interpreted to have had a decisive impact on the results of the 21st general election. While the general view is that the third-year general election of the ruling party is an evaluation of the administration, this time it was strongly replaced by an evaluation of the COVID-19 quarantine response. The United Future Party started under favorable conditions but was engulfed in criticism as a 'hindrance' rather than being recognized as an alternative force. Until the last moment, they focused on attacking former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, but this also failed to attract moderate voters. Rather, it is analyzed that the main public sentiment was confirmed to be prosecutorial reform.

Until the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases rapidly increased and the mask shortage crisis occurred, it was not easy to guarantee the victory of the Democratic Party of Korea. The Democratic Party consistently set the goal of becoming the first party, but only about a week before the vote did they say, "The goal of becoming the first party has already been achieved, so we can aim for a majority."

According to the Korea Gallup opinion poll results, President Moon Jae-in's job approval rating dropped to 41% in the last week of January but showed a recovery trend and rose to 57% in the second week of this month. The reason for the positive evaluation was overwhelmingly 'COVID-19 response' at 59%. As severe outbreaks occurred overseas, including the United States, relatively positive evaluations of the Korean government's quarantine response became mainstream.

While the United Future Party's support rate remained in the low 20% range, the Democratic Party rose from 37% at the end of last month to 44% just before the ban on publishing opinion polls. Considering that the non-affiliated group sharply decreased from 27% to 18% during the same period, it is interpreted that moderate voters ultimately leaned toward the Democratic Party.

In this unprecedented national crisis, voters can be seen to have supported stable national governance rather than judging the administration. The United Future Party advocated banning Chinese entry and blamed the government for the mask shortage crisis, but the effect that translated into votes was minimal. There is also analysis that extreme attacks such as 'impeachment of President Moon Jae-in' or 'socialist government' rather backfired.

ResearchView CEO An Il-won said, "For the United Future Party to connect the favorable condition of administration evaluation to votes, it had to show itself as an alternative force," adding, "In the COVID-19 crisis, claims like presidential impeachment made the party appear as one that only opposes, and reminded people of the era of former President Roh Moo-hyun, which led to the consolidation of Democratic Party supporters."

Last year, the party opposed the fast-track (rapid processing bill) submission of the election law reform bill and physically blocked it, causing so-called 'animal parliament' criticism. It is symbolic that candidate Na Kyung-won, who played a leading role as the floor leader at the time, was defeated by political newcomer candidate Lee Su-jin.

In the final stages of the election, former candidate Kim Dae-ho's disparagement of the 30s and 40s generation and candidate Cha Myung-jin's offensive remarks related to the Sewol ferry disaster dealt a decisive blow to the United Future Party. Especially, the delayed disciplinary procedure against candidate Cha, who maintained his candidacy due to the court's injunction decision, acted as a final adverse factor.

Underlying public opinion can be seen as driven by a desire for change in the vested power structure, including prosecutorial reform. During the election campaign, allegations of collusion between the prosecution and the media emerged, becoming a decisive turning point.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.