Three reasons for Moon's landslide in South Korea's elections

Political middle ground has shifted since last president's impeachment

Jai Kwan Jung

April 21, 2020 14:00 JST

20200420 South Korea Democratic Party campaign.jpg

The ruling Democratic Party's supporters wave their hands during a campaign in Seoul on Apr. 14: the landslide victory represents a long-term burden for South Korea's democracy. © AP

Jai Kwan Jung is Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Korea University.

South Korea's National Assembly elections on April 15 resulted in a landslide victory for President Moon Jae-in's government and his Democratic Party -- it won 180 seats out of 300. This is unprecedented in South Korea since its transition to democracy in 1987.