NK talks, constitutional revision to affect voter sentiment

By Park Ji-won

With political parties gearing up for the upcoming June 13 local elections, there are some major issues that could heavily affect voter sentiment.

They include the simmering inter-party feud over a constitutional revision, the #MeToo movement sweeping through society and the upcoming talks with North Korea.

Despite a series of #MeToo claims raised against ruling party members, the support rates of President Moon Jae-in and the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) haven't slipped dramatically. This suggests these cases could have little impact on the elections, but could take a toll on the ruling camp, if mishandled.

Constitutional revision

Rival parties are divided over when to hold a referendum for the constitutional revision bill.

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) has opposed holding the referendum for the constitutional revision and the local elections together, which the ruling party wants to do.

The LKP is also against President Moon taking the initiative for the revision, insisting that reducing the presidential term from five years to four and allowing a consecutive term, was against decentralizing presidential power, the aim of the revision.

Due to their opposition, the chances of the presidential bill being passed by the National Assembly are slim, because the LKP's cooperation is vital in get the two-thirds vote of all 293 lawmakers needed to pass it.

The Bareun Mirae Party and the minor Party for Democracy and Peace (PDP) have agree on when to amend the Constitution, but also oppose the government-led revision bill.

North Korea nuclear issue

Despite the historic breakthrough with North Korea, relations with the North will likely remain one of the main issues for voters.

If the inter-Korean summit and the North Korea-United States summit, which are slated for the end of this month and in May, respectively, go successfully, critics speculate that the ruling party could benefit from these in the elections.

Some say a hit by the DPK party members' sexual abuse scandals amid the #Metoo movement didn't have a large impact on the party's support rating, posting 50 percent, thanks to the Moon government's success with diplomatic moves.

However, if the summits end up empty-handed, it is a likely chance for the opposition parties to go all-out by blaming the ruling party, which could tarnish the DPK's reputation.

#MeToo movement

From the political scene to the art scene, all eyes on the #MeToo movement and its consequences.

So far, democratic political figures have been conspicuously involved in sexual misconduct allegations, such as An Hee-jung, a rising presidential hopeful and the former South Chungcheong Province governor; Park Soo-hyun, former Cheong Wa Dae spokesman and a candidate for South Chungcheong Province governor; and Chung Bong-ju, a former left-leaning lawmaker and a candidate for Seoul mayor.

After the allegations, the DPK party took a harsh stand, promptly deciding to expel An, as well as renewing a party protocol to sign a letter to support the #MeToo movement.

However, external affairs as they are, might have a worse influence than violating laws as there are Confucianism traditions are still prevalent in Korea even though adultery was decriminalized in 2015.

The parties have been able to minimize the impact of scandals, so far; still the present situation could be crucial for any party member to jeopardize her or his political career..