Ex-PMs go head-to-head in South Korea as election campaign starts

Moon’s party gets tailwind from his handling of coronavirus

People walk past banners of Lee Nak-yon, top right, former South Korean prime minister and current candidate of the ruling Democratic Party, and his rival Hwang Kyo-ahn of the main opposition United Future Party in Seoul on April 2. © EPA/Jiji

KIM JAEWON, Nikkei staff writer

April 2, 2020 13:35 JST

SEOUL -- For South Korean members of parliament, the new coronavirus pandemic is not the only thing on their minds. They also have to campaign for a general election taking place in two weeks.

Official campaigning began Thursday for the April 15 National Assembly poll that will be a signpost as to who will succeed President Moon Jae-in, whose term expires in 2022. Voters will pick the 300 lawmakers who will represent them over the next four years.