It is certainly the tightest election in South Korea’s history: on Wednesday March 10, the conservative candidate Yoon Seok-youl narrowly defeated his left-wing rival Lee Jae-myung and was elected president. after a campaign that was, to say the least, out of the ordinary.
Firstly because it took place in a heavy health context, the authorities announcing each week a new record of daily Covid-19 infections. Then because the two favorites were neck and neck: the day before the vote, the two candidates were still walking the streets of Seoul to convince the last undecided. They have both brought together thousands of people for musical performances, the likes of which only politics in South Korea can provide. Finally, after a count that stretched until 4 a.m., the Conservative candidate was declared the winner with just over 200,000 votes in advance.
To simply summarize his program, Yoon Seok-youl wants to embody a total break with the policy of Democrat Moon Jae-in, in particular with a firmer attitude vis-à-vis North Korea. A program that appealed to this retiree: “I want to change the government, I hate communism, he explains. The ruling party is too supportive of North Korea, I suffered from the Korean War and lived under communist occupation and their influence scares me. So I voted to counter the propaganda.” A key theme for older people.
In terms of his economic policy, the new president is opting for a strong liberalization of the labor market, a source of concern for this Democratic voter: “I feel completely depressed, she testifies. We have the feeling that there is no longer any hope. This president has no political experience, he is ignorant. What worries me is his employment policy, he wants to abolish the minimum wage, and increase the legal working time.”
His desire to lower taxes on property allowed him to seduce an electorate worn down by a galloping rise in real estate prices. Finally, Yoon Seok-youl has for many months multiplied openly sexist statements and proposals, explaining that feminists were responsible for the low birth rate in the country, or that South Korean women do not suffer from structural discrimination in the country. . However, in South Korea, they are still paid 31% less than men, a record among OECD countries.
The results of this strategy are mixed: 58% of men between the ages of 20 and 29 voted for it. Either a high score, but not as high as expected. What is certain is that the arrival of Yoon’s responsibilities is a source of anxiety for South Korean women. Like Jinha, an English teacher: “One of her flagship proposals was the abolition of the ministry of gender equality, which is a problem not only as a woman, but this ministry helps families and immigrants what will happen to them if is it abolished?
“I’m scared but I want them to learn that hating women is not a good political strategy.”
Jinha, English teacherat franceinfo
The South Koreans mobilized massively in favor of his adversary and almost swung the election. It is for the moment difficult to know to what extent he will be faithful to his anti-feminist promises: it will be necessary, to answer this question, to wait until May 10, the date on which he will take office.