Subject
The strengths and weaknesses of South Korea's president and ruling party.
Significance
President Moon Jae-in's approval rating was 79% as of June 14, a record for any South Korean president after a year in office. His left-of-centre ruling Democratic Party (DP) won an unprecedented landslide in nationwide local elections on June 13; it now runs 14 of the 17 provinces and major cities. The party also won eleven of twelve National Assembly by-elections, gaining eight. He now faces no electoral tests until the next parliamentary elections, due in April 2020.
Impacts
Political party regroupings are likely, with possible mergers consolidating both the left and right.
The short-term prospects for inter-Korean engagement appear good.
The main risks regarding North Korea are US President Donald Trump’s unpredictability and uncertainty over Pyongyang's ultimate aims.
2014 South Korean Local Elections: Is Regionalism Weakening?