Moon set for South Korea landslide

Democratic Party nominee sweeps the elections as disgruntled electors vote for him to replace scandal-tainted Park

SEOUL // Former human rights lawyer Moon Jae-in won South Korea’s presidential election by a landslide yesterday , according to an exit poll, sweeping to power on a yearning for change after a tumultuous scandal.

The vote was called to choose a new president after Park Geun-hye was dismissed and indicted for corruption, and took place against a backdrop of high tensions with the nuclear-armed North Korea.

Voters were galvanised by anger over the bribery and abuse- of- power controversy that brought down Ms Park, increasing frustrations over jobs and slowing growth. They gave the Democratic Party’s Mr Moon, who backs engagement with the North, 41.4 per cent support, according to the joint survey by three television stations. Conservative Hong Joon-pyo – who dubs Mr Moon a “pro-Pyongyang leftist” – was far behind on 23.3 per cent, with centrist Ahn Cheol- soo third on 21.8 per cent.

The result was “a great victory of great people” who wanted to create “a country of justice where rules and common sense prevail”, Mr Moon told cheering supporters on Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, where crowds had gathered for candlelit protests over several months to demand Ms Park’s removal. The corruption scandal plunged the South into political turmoil and bitter division, but Mr Moon promised healing, telling the crowd: “I will be president for all South Koreans.” On the square, Koh Eun-byul, 28, said: “I am so happy because now there is hope for some meaningful change.”

National elections are public holidays in South Korea and preliminary figures showed a turnout of 77.2 per cent – the highest in 20 years for a presidential poll.

With 40 per cent of the vote counted, results showed Mr Moon with a slightly smaller share than the poll forecast, but not enough to matter.

The campaign focused largely on the economy, with North Korea less prominent. But after a decade of conservative rule, Mr Moon’s victory could mean significant change in Seoul’s approach towards Pyongyang and key ally Washington.

The 64- year- old, who is accused by his critics of being soft on the North, advocates dialogue to ease tensions and bring Pyongyang to negotiations.

He is seen as favouring more independence in relations with the US, Seoul’s security guarantor, which has 28,500 troops in the country.

Their presence, he said during the campaign, was “important not only to our own security but also to the global strategy of the US”.

The North has carried out two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches since the start of last year in its quest to develop a missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the US mainland.

Washington has said military action is an option, sending fears of conflict spiralling.

More recently US president Donald Trump has softened his message, however, saying he would be honoured to meet the North’s leader, Kim Jong-un. Mr Moon also said he would be willing to visit Pyongyang to meet Mr Kim and advocated resumption of some of the inter-Korean projects stopped by his predecessors, including the Kaesong joint industrial zone.

In Seoul’s prosperous Seo-cho district, 72-year-old doctor Chung Tae- Wan backed Mr Moon’s conservative opponent, Mr Hong, saying he did so because “security is the most important thing”. But for many South Korean voters, corruption, slowing growth, unemployment and even air pollution from China top the list of concerns.

South Korea’s rapid growth from the 1970s to 1990s pulled a war-ravaged nation out of poverty but slowed as the economy matured, and unemployment among under-30s is now at a record 10 per cent.

Frustration over widening inequality in wealth and opportunities fuelled anger over Ms Park’s scandal, which exposed the cosy and corrupt ties that have endured for decades between regulators and powerful family-orientated conglomerates.

Ms Park is in custody awaiting trial over corruption for offering government favours to top businessmen – including Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong, who allegedly bribed her secret confidante, Choi Soon-sil.

‘ I will be president for all South Koreans Moon Jae-in South Korea’s presidential candidate