The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Family of 5 found dead in 3 separate locations

  • 3

    All-Korean showdowns set up on 1st day of medal race

  • 5

    Understanding Korean Modernization

  • 7

    Samsung, SK relieved by revised chip restrictions on China

  • 9

    Bears of Joseon part 1: Fanciful tales and deadly claws

  • 11

    Sil-A overcomes stage fright, and them some

  • 13

    US finalizes national security 'guardrails' for CHIPS funding

  • 15

    PM departs for China for Asian Games, meeting with Xi

  • 17

    Top diplomats of Korea, Iran discuss bilateral ties following frozen funds transfer

  • 19

    Hangzhou Asian Games open after COVID-enforced delay

  • 2

    Xi says he will seriously consider visit to South Korea: official

  • 4

    INTERVIEWYim Si-wan went extra mile to portray legendary athlete in 'Road to Boston'

  • 6

    Opposition party leader ends 24-day hunger strike for treatment

  • 8

    S. Korea to stage massive military parade as tensions with North remain high

  • 10

    China's 'batwoman' scientist warns another coronavirus outbreak is 'highly likely'

  • 12

    Exhibition for soldiers highlights North Korea's human rights abuses

  • 14

    Seoul, Beijing try to mend fences as Russia and N. Korea grow closer

  • 16

    Historic NASA asteroid mission set for perilous return

  • 18

    Allies vow stern measures against Russia-NK arms deal

  • 20

    League of Legends, other esports join Asian Games in competition for first time

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Mon, September 25, 2023 | 23:31
Politics
'Dogfight in the mud:' Korea's presidential election gets ugly
Posted : 2022-03-07 11:33
Updated : 2022-03-07 04:14
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
                                                                                                 A TV screen at Seoul Railway Station shows presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, left, and Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party during a presidential debate in Seoul, Feb. 21. AP-Yonhap
A TV screen at Seoul Railway Station shows presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, left, and Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party during a presidential debate in Seoul, Feb. 21. AP-Yonhap

The race between South Korea's two leading presidential candidates has seen unprecedented levels of toxic rhetoric, mudslinging and lawsuits.

How bad is it?

''Hitler,'' ''beast,'' and ''parasite'' are some of the choicer insults leveled by both camps. Some are even calling it ''The Squid Game Election,'' in reference to Netflix's megahit survival drama where people are killed if they lose at children's games.

And the stakes? There's widespread speculation that the loser will be arrested.

''It's a dreadful presidential election when the losing contender faces prison. Please survive this dogfight in the mud!'' senior opposition politician Hong Joon-pyo wrote on Facebook.

                                                                                                 A TV screen at Seoul Railway Station shows presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, left, and Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party during a presidential debate in Seoul, Feb. 21. AP-Yonhap
Lee Jae-myung, center, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, poses with supporters during an election campaign stop in Seoul, March 3. AP-Yonhap

Just days before Wednesday's election, Lee Jae-myung from the liberal governing Democratic Party of Korea and Yoon Suk-yeol from the main conservative opposition People Power Party are locked in an extremely tight race.

Their negative campaigns are aggravating South Korea's already severe political divide at a time when it faces a battered, pandemic-hit economy, a balancing act over competition between its main ally, Washington, and its top trade partner, China, and a raft of threats and weapons tests from rival North Korea.

Opinion surveys show that both candidates have more critics than supporters.

''Isn't our national future too bleak with an unpleasant and bitter presidential election that calls for choosing the lesser of two evils?'' the mass-circulation Dong-A Ilbo newspaper said in an editorial.

Yoon has slammed Lee over his possible ties to an allegedly corrupt land development scandal. Lee has denied any connection, and in turn has tried to link Yoon to the same scandal, while separately criticizing him for his reported ties to shamanism ― an ancient, indigenous religious belief.

There have also been attacks on the candidates' wives, both of whom have been forced to apologize over separate scandals.

                                                                                                 A TV screen at Seoul Railway Station shows presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, left, and Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party during a presidential debate in Seoul, Feb. 21. AP-Yonhap
Yoon Suk-yeol, center, the presidential candidate of the main opposition People Power Party, poses with his supporters during an election campaign stop in Seoul, Feb. 15. AP-Yonhap

Yoon described Lee's party as ''Hitler'' and ''Mussolini'' while an associate called Lee's purported aides ''parasites.'' Lee's allies called Yoon ''a beast,'' ''dictator'' and ''an empty can'' and derided his wife's alleged plastic surgery.

Their campaign teams and supporters have filed dozens of lawsuits charging libel and the spread of false information, among other issues.

''This year's presidential election has been more overwhelmed by negative campaigning than any other previous election, and the mutual hatred won't die down easily after the election,'' said Choi Jin, director of the Seoul-based Institute of Presidential Leadership.

Gender divide among younger voters shapes election
Gender divide among younger voters shapes election
2022-03-07 09:45

Among the fault lines in the electorate are South Korean regional rivalries, views on North Korea, a conflict between generations, economic inequality and women's rights issues.

Yoon is more popular with older voters and those in the southeastern region of Gyeongsang, where past conservative and authoritarian leaders came from. His supporters typically advocate a stronger military alliance with the United States and a tougher line on North Korea, and they credit past authoritarian rulers for quickly developing the economy after the Korean War.

Lee enjoys greater support from younger people and those from Jeolla Province, Gyeongsang's rival region in the southwest. His supporters generally want an equal footing in relations with the United States and rapprochement with North Korea while being extremely critical of past authoritarian rulers' human rights records.

                                                                                                 A TV screen at Seoul Railway Station shows presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, left, and Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party during a presidential debate in Seoul, Feb. 21. AP-Yonhap
Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, is greeted by supporters during an election campaign stop in Seoul, March 3. AP-Yonhap

In a notable development, many surveys showed Yoon has gotten greater approval ratings than Lee from voters aged 18 and 29, most of whom were born after South Korea became a developed country.

''They didn't experience poverty and dictatorships. ... They are very critical of China and North Korea, and they have rather friendly feelings toward the U.S. and Japan,'' said Park Sung-min, head of Seoul-based MIN Consulting, a political consulting firm.

South Korea's deep divisions are reflected in the troubles of the last three leaders. Their supporters say intense corruption investigations after they left office were politically motived by their rivals.

Amid a corruption probe of his family, former liberal President Roh Moo-hyun jumped to his death in 2009, a year after he left office. His successor, the conservative Lee Myung-bak, and Lee's conservative successor, Park Geun-hye, were separately convicted of a range of crimes, including corruption, and given lengthy prison terms after Roh's friend and current President Moon Jae-in took office in 2017.

Park was pardoned in December, but Lee is still serving a 17-year prison term.

Moon's government took a big hit with a scandal involving Moon's former justice minister and close associate, Cho Kuk. Cho and his family members are alleged to have participated in financial crimes and the faking of credentials to help Cho's daughter enter medical school.

Cho was seen as a reformist and potential liberal presidential hopeful. Moon's early attempts to keep Cho in office split the public, with his critics calling for Cho's resignation and supporters rallying to his side during big street protests.

                                                                                                 A TV screen at Seoul Railway Station shows presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, left, and Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party during a presidential debate in Seoul, Feb. 21. AP-Yonhap
Yoon Suk-yeol, center, the presidential candidate of the main opposition People Power Party, is greeted by supporters during an election campaign stop in Seoul, Feb. 15. AP-Yonhap

Yoon originally served as Moon's prosecutor general and spearheaded investigations of previous conservative governments. But he eventually left Moon's government and joined the opposition last year after conflict with Moon's allies over the Cho case helped him emerge as a potential presidential contender.

''Cho's case was a watershed in South Korean politics. It made Yoon a presidential candidate, and many in their 20s and 30s switched their support from Moon,'' Choi, the institute director, said.

During a recent TV debate, Yoon and Lee agreed not to launch politically motivated investigations against the other side if they win. But some question their sincerity.

In a newspaper interview last month, Yoon said that if elected, his government would investigate possible wrongdoing by the Moon government and also the land development scandal that Lee has been allegedly linked to.

When Moon's government was conducting widespread investigations of past conservative governments, Lee said they were necessary to eradicate ''deep-rooted evils and injustice.''

Cho Jin-man, a professor at Seoul's Duksung Women's University, said a new president must exercise restraint and calm amid calls for political revenge by hardline supporters.

''We now have an election race like 'Squid Game,' but it will be a new president's responsibility to pull us out of it,'' he said. (AP)

 
miguel
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
1Samsung, SK relieved by revised chip restrictions on China Samsung, SK relieved by revised chip restrictions on China
2S. Korea to stage massive military parade as tensions with North remain high S. Korea to stage massive military parade as tensions with North remain high
3Seoul, Beijing try to mend fences as Russia and N. Korea grow closer Seoul, Beijing try to mend fences as Russia and N. Korea grow closer
4Patients, doctors at loggerheads as operating room CCTV footage made mandatory Patients, doctors at loggerheads as operating room CCTV footage made mandatory
5Korea, Saudi Arabia celebrate 93rd Saudi National Day, vow stronger cooperation Korea, Saudi Arabia celebrate 93rd Saudi National Day, vow stronger cooperation
6Mirae Asset Global Investments' AUM reaches $219 bil. Mirae Asset Global Investments' AUM reaches $219 bil.
7Lee Jae-myung's possible arrest looms over main opposition party Lee Jae-myung's possible arrest looms over main opposition party
8Bears of Joseon part 2: Behind bars Bears of Joseon part 2: Behind bars
9Low growth becomes new normal for Korean economy Low growth becomes new normal for Korean economy
10LG Chem to build LFP cathode plant with Huayou in Morocco LG Chem to build LFP cathode plant with Huayou in Morocco
Top 5 Entertainment News
1[INTERVIEW] Yim Si-wan went extra mile to portray legendary athlete in 'Road to Boston' INTERVIEWYim Si-wan went extra mile to portray legendary athlete in 'Road to Boston'
2TEMPEST gears up to showcase fiery passion TEMPEST gears up to showcase fiery passion
3BTS' Jungkook to drop 2nd solo single '3D' BTS' Jungkook to drop 2nd solo single '3D'
4K-pop group Kingdom recalls album cover resembling QuranK-pop group Kingdom recalls album cover resembling Quran
5Cho Seong-jin celebrates 140-year ties between Korea, UK Cho Seong-jin celebrates 140-year ties between Korea, UK
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group