[20220315]IN11892_韩国选举新总统.pdf

CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i South Koreans Elect a New President March 15, 2022 On March 9, 2022, South Koreans narrowly elected former chief prosecutor Yoon Suk-youl as their next president. The victory by Yoon, who represents the conservative People Power Party (PPP), will change party control of South Koreas Blue House, as the presidents office and residence compound is known. His win also likely signals greater alignment with the United States on a number of issues followed closely by many Members of Congress, including policy toward North Korea, China, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific. In May, Yoon will replace current president Moon Jae-in, from the progressive Minjoo (Democratic) Party. The constitution of South Korea (officially the Republic of Korea, or ROK) limits presidents to one five-year term. Key Features of the Election The 2022 election was the closest in South Koreas history. Yoon garnered 48.6% of the vote, about 0.7% more than the Minjoo Partys Lee Jae-myung, a former Gyeonggi province governor. Turnout was a near-record high of just over 77%, notwithstanding widespread voter sentiment that this election was a choice b