South Korea's Coronavirus Elections are a Litmus Test for the President Moon's Political Future
The real test for both the progressives and conservatives begins now as they look to the 2022 presidential race. The South Korean Constitution allows each president a single, five-year term. This means Moon will need to deliver real results on the economy, welfare, and income disparity to set the stage for another progressive win.
Regional dynamics will be affected by many variables in the months ahead. At a time when a global pandemic has intensified geopolitical tensions around the world, Northeast Asian countries and the United States must manage relations to prevent the temperature from rising further and seek ways to cooperate in areas of mutual concern.
Duyeon Kim is Senior Advisor for Northeast Asia and Nuclear Policy at the International Crisis Group. She is also a columnist for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security.
Image: Reuters