South Koreans Prepare to Vote

ANCHOR:
New South Korean president Lee Myung-bak, is hoping his party will get control of the incoming parliament after Thursday's elections. But the race could be close one. Here's more.

STORY:
If Lee's Grand National Party or GNP wins control, it should be able to push through Lee's ambitious economic reform measures. These include tax cuts and a sweeping free trade deal reached last year with the United States.

Conservative voters are supporting the Grand National Party for their new conservative president.

[Park Ji-Yong, Conservative Voter]:
"The political power has finally turned over in 10 years. I like to support the candidates from the National Grand Party so that the new president should be able to go through his tasks."

However, others would rather focus on the individual candidates.

[Park Soon-Ae, Voter]:
"Only the poor cares for the poor. So I want to support the candidate who can revive the economy and represent us well."

Analysts say what should have been a landslide victory for GNP could be just a razor-thin majority. The GNP went through a bitter process to pick candidates for the April vote. Some members, who were not selected due to ethical problems or factional fighting, left the party to run as independents.

[Professor Kim Hyung-Joon, Myungji University]:
"The 18th parliamentary election is different because it's not about the parties, but about the candidates. Especially independent Candidates who are performing strongly in the National Grand Party's traditional strongholds."

Opinion polls showed GNP candidates in some traditional party strongholds are struggling to keep their lead. Analysts say the North's recent reactions against Lee's tough stand to the regime could affect the
election result, too.

Category:

News & Politics

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