Recent National Assembly elections laid bare both the strengths and weaknesses of South Korean democracy. South Korea proved once again to be one of most dynamic democracies in the world, but unless both lawmakers and citizens confront shortcomings in the election rules and political parties, South Korea's First World economy will be dragged down by Third World politics. Voters in Seoul and surrounding areas are diverse and increasingly sophisticated, but election returns in the provinces are a throwback to the Three Kingdoms period — regionalism still reigns.
The sea change in the fortunes of South Korea's liberals and conservatives in the ballot was nothing short of breathtaking. Former President Roh Moo Hyun can add to his legacy the decimation of his political party. Perhaps Roh was being prescient last year when he described two impressive leaders of his party, Chung Dong Young and Kim Keun Tae, as "unfit to run a hole-in-the-wall shop." They both lost their seats.
To go from a slight majority of 152 seats in 2004 to a party that feels "fortunate" to maintain just over half that number (81) four years later with a different name would be unimaginable in the United States. Even if the Republicans get creamed for a second time this fall after losing 30 seats in the House in 2006, they will lose far fewer seats in a much larger legislature.