S. Korean opposition wins big, deepening political deadlock

President Yoon pays price in election for spate of scandals and cost-of-living crisis

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South Korea's liberal opposition parties scored a landslide victory in a parliamentary election, vote counts showed on April 10, dealing a resounding blow to President Yoon Suk-yeol and his conservative party but likely falling just short of a super-majority.

The Democratic Party (DP) was projected to take 175 of the 300 seats in the new legislature, data by the National Election Commission and network broadcasters showed, with all votes counted.

A splinter liberal party considered allied with the DP was expected to take 12 seats, projections showed, leaving the bloc short of the 200 seats needed for a supermajority.

Mr Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) was set to win 108 seats.

DP leader Lee Jae-myung, who led a combative campaign against Mr Yoon, said the top priority now was to work for an economic recovery that would be palpable for the average consumer.

"The ruling and opposition parties must join forces to overcome the crisis in consumers' economic livelihood," he said.

The bitterly fought race was seen by some analysts as a referendum on Mr Yoon, whose popularity has suffered amid a cost-of-living crisis and a spate of political scandals.

Mr Yoon, who took office in May 2022, was not up for election this time.

However, his ability to pass legislation is likely to be further inhibited by the PPP's poor showing.