[Global Insight] Mask-clad democracy: South Korea holds biggest General Election ever amid COVID-19
Arirang News
2020-04-16
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21대 총선 투표율 28년 만에 가장 높은 66.2%
We begin a discussion with experts from around the world.
On Wednesday, more than 17 million voters went to the polls in South Korea's 21st General Election. With another 12 million who voted early last week,... the turnout of 66.2% was the highest for a general election in South Korea in nearly 30 years despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The election came under global attention as it was the first major poll to be conducted amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Today we discuss the significance of the election and what it means for South Korean democracy from a global perspective.
We connect with Dr. David Tizzard, Assistant Professor of Politics at Seoul Women's University,... Dr. Ramon Pacheco-Pardo, Reader of Int'l relations at Kings College London and Chair of the Korea Foundation at Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
1.
Dr. Tizzard International media outlets have noted how South Korea is the first country in the world to hold a major election since this pandemic blew up. Was the decision to go ahead the right one? And could it be an example to countries like the U.S. which have major elections of their own coming up?
2.
Observing this from the UK,... Dr. Pacheco Pardo, the turnout in South Korea was the highest since 1992, despite the spread of COVID-19. What does this say about the level of South Korea's engagement in democracy and civic participation?
It was a massive win for the ruling Democratic Party a vote of confidence for the Moon Administration. What issues do you think the majority of South Koreans were voting for?
3. Dr. Tizzard: Electoral reform measures passed at the end of last year were in effect on Wednesday.
They were designed to improve the chances of proportional representation seats being awarded to minor political parties.
Do you think it's working so far?
4. Dr. Pacheco Pardo: South Korea's political system has been fiercely bipartisan for as long as we can remember. Do you see this changing anytime soon or will we continue seeing more of the same?
5. Dr. Tizzard: The number one priority for South Korea's National Assembly is overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. Extraordinary parliamentary sessions are beginning Thursday, the day after the election.
The ruling Democratic Party has been pushing to pass another emergency supplementary budget bill by the end of April and will start distributing basic income to citizens in May. How realistic is this timeline?
6. Dr. Pacheco Pardo: What do you hope to see from the 21st National Assembly,... in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global recession that's expected to stretch out for months, possibly years to come?
I'm afraid that's all we have time for today. But it's been a great discussion. Thank you Dr. David Tizzard in Seoul and Dr. Ramon Pacheco Pardo in London.
We begin a discussion with experts from around the world.
On Wednesday, more than 17 million voters went to the polls in South Korea's 21st General Election. With another 12 million who voted early last week,... the turnout of 66.2% was the highest for a general election in South Korea in nearly 30 years despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The election came under global attention as it was the first major poll to be conducted amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Today we discuss the significance of the election and what it means for South Korean democracy from a global perspective.
We connect with Dr. David Tizzard, Assistant Professor of Politics at Seoul Women's University,... Dr. Ramon Pacheco-Pardo, Reader of Int'l relations at Kings College London and Chair of the Korea Foundation at Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
1.
Dr. Tizzard International media outlets have noted how South Korea is the first country in the world to hold a major election since this pandemic blew up. Was the decision to go ahead the right one? And could it be an example to countries like the U.S. which have major elections of their own coming up?
2.
Observing this from the UK,... Dr. Pacheco Pardo, the turnout in South Korea was the highest since 1992, despite the spread of COVID-19. What does this say about the level of South Korea's engagement in democracy and civic participation?
It was a massive win for the ruling Democratic Party a vote of confidence for the Moon Administration. What issues do you think the majority of South Koreans were voting for?
3. Dr. Tizzard: Electoral reform measures passed at the end of last year were in effect on Wednesday.
They were designed to improve the chances of proportional representation seats being awarded to minor political parties.
Do you think it's working so far?
4. Dr. Pacheco Pardo: South Korea's political system has been fiercely bipartisan for as long as we can remember. Do you see this changing anytime soon or will we continue seeing more of the same?
5. Dr. Tizzard: The number one priority for South Korea's National Assembly is overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. Extraordinary parliamentary sessions are beginning Thursday, the day after the election.
The ruling Democratic Party has been pushing to pass another emergency supplementary budget bill by the end of April and will start distributing basic income to citizens in May. How realistic is this timeline?
6. Dr. Pacheco Pardo: What do you hope to see from the 21st National Assembly,... in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global recession that's expected to stretch out for months, possibly years to come?
I'm afraid that's all we have time for today. But it's been a great discussion. Thank you Dr. David Tizzard in Seoul and Dr. Ramon Pacheco Pardo in London.
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