Voters go to polls today in by-elections

The parliamentary by-elections will take place in five constituencies across the nation today with the voting from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The official results of the elections are expected to be released as early as 11 p.m.

In Gyeonggi Province both Sangrok, Ansan and Jangan, Suwon are contested constituencies, as are Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province and Gangneung, Gangwon Province.

Excluding the ruling party-dominated Gangneung, the other four constituencies are currently in a state of frenzy as many voters remain undecided.

Voter turnout, particularly among those in their 30s and 40s, and last-minute decisions by undecided voters are expected to be critical factors impacting the election results.

The two major political parties are both hoping to declare victory by taking three seats. With only five legislative spots available, however, Jangan in Suwon is considered the constituency that will decide the winner.



As the official election campaign period ended at midnight, leaders of the ruling Grand National Party and the main opposition Democratic Party hastily made their final stops in different areas yesterday.

The GNP focused on the constituencies in the metropolitan area - Ansan and Suwon - while the DP scrambled to go from North Chungcheong Province in the morning to Suwon and Ansan later in the afternoon.

GNP Chairman Chung Mong-joon has made frequent stops in Jangan, Suwon.

"The opposition is pleading for the voters to judge the government with their votes. However, the by-elections should not become a stage for revenge," he said. "In this election, we should not look back at the past but make our choices for tomorrow."

DP leader Chung Sye-kyun, on the other hand, claimed that the by-election is the opportunity to evaluate the wrongdoings of President Lee Myung-bak`s administration and the ruling party during a press conference in North Chungcheong Province.

The results of the by-elections are pivotal for the two party leaders because claiming success will put a stop to the early party congress requests within the party and provide them with more political ground as the party`s potential presidential candidates. Failing to meet the minimum expectation - two seats for both the GNP and the DP - would deliver a severe blow to their political futures.

The potential presidential bid by Sohn Hak-kyu, former leader of the United New Democratic Party, the DP`s predecessor, will also be affected by the election outcome in Suwon.

Sohn, who declined to run in the constituency as DP candidate, instead chose to accept the post of chief campaigner for the area. Since then, he has leased an apartment there, spending up to 20 hours a day pleading for voters` support of DP candidate Lee Chan-ryul.

The final outcome is also likely to affect the Constitutional Court`s decision on the unilateral passage of media-related laws - which is slated to be announced tomorrow - the direction of the Sejong City development project, the four-river restoration project and controversial labor-related legislation.

(sharon@heraldm.com)



By Cho Ji-hyun