Foreign Media Focus on General Election Results, "Outcome Reflects Support for Government's COVID-19 Response"

"COVID-19 Overwhelms All Issues, Foundation of Government Ruling Party's Victory"
Japanese Media Express Concerns That "Improvement of Korea-Japan Relations Will Become Even More Difficult"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Foreign media generally evaluated that the results of the South Korean general election held amid the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) crisis reflected strong support for the ruling party due to the government's successful response to COVID-19. However, Japanese media expressed concerns that the chilly Korea-Japan relations would continue following the ruling party's victory in South Korea.

On the 15th (local time), the Associated Press (AP) assessed the South Korean general election results, stating, "Voters were deeply divided by ideology, generation, and regional loyalty, but the government's successful response to COVID-19 showed support for the ruling party." The agency explained, "Compared to countries severely affected by COVID-19 such as China, Europe, and the United States, South Korea's death rate has been relatively low so far," adding, "The public recognized the government's aggressive testing and quarantine program that made this possible."

British BBC also reported that COVID-19, which dominated all debates during the election period, led to the victory of the South Korean government’s ruling party. German media such as Der Spiegel and DPA also analyzed that "South Korea became a global role model regarding the COVID-19 crisis, and citizens supported the government's COVID-19 response strategy."

There were many evaluations not only on the election results but also on the fact that the election was held amid the COVID-19 crisis. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised in a statement that day, "The United States congratulates South Korea on successfully holding the general election," and added, "South Korea's election will serve as a model for the world." CNN reported, "While 47 countries including the UK and France postponed elections due to the spread of COVID-19, and the U.S. is also considering election schedules, South Korea's election, which utilized masks and thermometers, has drawn praise from many countries."

There is also analysis that the South Korean government and ruling party's smooth completion and victory in the general election amid the COVID-19 situation will greatly influence elections in other countries. Bloomberg News evaluated, "COVID-19 overwhelmed the economic recession, various corruption scandals, and North Korea issues that the South Korean government and ruling party faced, forming the basis for the ruling party's victory," and added, "It suggests to world leaders facing elections that a strong response to COVID-19 can translate into support."

However, Japanese media seem to focus more on the impact on Korea-Japan relations. The dominant view is that it will be difficult to expect improvements in Korea-Japan relations following the ruling party's landslide victory in South Korea. NHK reported, "With the ruling party's victory in South Korea, the number of lawmakers advocating a tough stance against Japan will increase, and along with worsening public opinion toward Japan, improving relations with Japan will become increasingly difficult." Jiji Press, citing diplomatic sources, reported, "In this South Korean general election, the opposition Future United Party was criticized as pro-Japanese forces as an election strategy, and it is evaluated that anti-Japanese sentiment was used in the election," adding, "There is concern that Korea-Japan relations may shrink to an irrecoverable level."

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