Yoon Seok-yeol

For the first time in South Korean history, a political novice has won the presidential election, dragging the conservative People Power Party out of the ...

It will provide a litmus test for how successful his administration will be in promoting inclusive politics and well considered policies based on public consensus, fairness and justice. Yoon, in particular, cannot realise his key commitments, including the reorganisation of the government, without the support of the now opposition DP, which holds 172 seats in the 300-member National Assembly. To them, the Moon administration weakened South Korean democracy by monopolising state affairs and the National Assembly, which led to voter backlash. For the first time in South Korean history, a political novice has won the presidential election, dragging the PPP out of the political wilderness. By then, he was regarded by many South Koreans as a defender of the rule of law and public interest, having investigated corruption cases involving President Moon’s close allies, most notably the Cho Kuk scandal. Yoon became popularly known as a rebel prosecutor after he made a bombshell disclosure in October 2013.