South Korean voters went to the polls Wednesday to elect to representatives to the National Assembly. President Park Geun-hye’s ruling conservative Saenuri Party is expected to maintain a majority in the unicameral parliament. Recent polls have shown strong public support for Park’s tough policies to respond to the growing North Korean nuclear threat, including cutting the last cooperative inter-Korean tie by closing the jointly run Kaesong Industrial Project following the Pyongyang’s fourth nuclear test in January, imposing increased sanctions, and increasing military readiness to respond to any provocations.
At a polling station in Seoul, many voters who cast their ballots for the conservative party said national security was a key issue. “I don’t think Saenuri Party will lose over Kim Jong Un,” said Choi Jung-ja, who said she also liked the Saenuri Party candidate running in the district.
Saenuri holds half of the 292 seats in the National Assembly. In this election, the legislative body will expand to 300 seats.
“South Korea must be stabilized. National security must be strong and stabilized. That’s the most important thing,” said Park Hyun-ja, who voted for the Saenuri Party candidate.
Full Article: South Korean Election Could Reinforce Status Quo.