SEOUL (AFP) — South Koreans voted Wednesday to elect a new parliament, with the conservative party of new President Lee Myung-Bak expected to win the majority it needs to pass sweeping economic reforms.
"The result of this election will decide the country's fate," said Grand National Party (GNP) leader Kang Jae-Sup after voting in an election widely tipped to give his party victory.
"Please come and vote to complete the transition of political power after 10 years of incompetent liberal rule."
Lee, a former business executive campaigning on an "Economy, First!" platform, won by a landslide over his liberal opponent in last December's presidential poll.
His GNP now wants a legislative majority to enact business-friendly reforms aimed at rejuvenating Asia's fourth largest economy, after a decade of relatively modest growth under liberal presidents.
After a 10-year "sunshine" engagement policy, Lee and his party also pledge to get tougher with communist North Korea -- a promise which has enraged Pyongyang.
On Wednesday the North's official media, in its latest broadside against what it called Lee's "group of traitors," accused them of trying to fuel confrontation by raising the North's human rights record.
Analysts say voters will largely shrug off the angry rhetoric. But some may penalise Lee's party after his government got off to a fumbling start, with several ministerial nominees forced to withdraw.
The GNP has also been torn by infighting. Around 20 members who failed to secure nominations bolted to run independently.
The GNP, currently the second largest party in parliament, is nevertheless tipped to win around 160 seats in the 299-member National Assembly. Polls were to close at 6:00 pm (0900 GMT), with official results expected around midnight.
The liberal United Democratic Party, at present the majority party, has conceded it cannot win. It wants to secure 100 seats to block any moves to change the constitution, but polls suggest it may not achieve even that.
"We need voter support to avoid a one-party dictatorship (by the GNP) and preserve a healthy democracy," said its leader Sohn Hak-Kyu.
The National Election Commission fears a record low turnout of around 52 percent. In an unprecedented move it is offering people incentives -- discounted entry fees to museums, parks and cultural facilities -- to cast their ballots.
The lack of interest in the polls is partly because party feuds delayed candidate selection. Election fatigue after the presidential poll is also a factor.
Lee urged people to turn out after voting in Seoul's Jongno district.
"The situation is not so favourable but I'll do my best in my job," he said in apparent reference to the global credit crisis, which has dented his hopes of achieving six percent growth this year.
At a polling station in Seoul's Bangbae district, many voters were planning to cast ballots and then take advantage of the public holiday.
"I came here early to cast my ballot and go out with my girlfriend to see the cherry blossoms," Kang Hyo-Shik, 33, told AFP.
He said he voted for the GNP "so that the president may push through with a drive to reactivate the economy."
A 65-year-old man who identified himself only as Lim said he hoped the GNP wins a majority.
"I think we have to give the new government a chance to deliver on its promise to resuscitate the economy. Under the past governments, egalitarianism and unionism were too strong."
Chang Won-Seok, a 47-year-old waiting to vote in the city's northeastern district of Nowon, said he would go hiking afterwards.
"I am sick of the established politicians who are lazy and corrupt, and so I will vote for a candidate who I think is new and fresh," he told AFP without specifying.
Electors vote both for a constituency MP and for their preferred party, with 245 seats filled by direct vote and 54 shared proportionally among parties.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
