Yoon seeks to reform South Korea's power structure

Ruling party has momentum going into local elections on Wednesday

20220531 Yoon at the new Presidential office

South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol signs a document at the new presidential office in Seoul on May 10. © Yonhap/Reuters

YOSUKE ONCHI, Nikkei staff writer

June 1, 2022 15:13 JST

SEOUL -- South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office three weeks ago, will face his first major test Wednesday, when the nation votes in a slew of local elections and by-elections for vacant parliament seats.

Since Day 1, Yoon has been pushing to reform the country's power structure, symbolized by his moving the presidential office from the Blue House to the defense ministry compound.