Lee's party avoids embarrassment in local by-elections By Shin Hae-in

SEOUL, Oct. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's ruling party managed to save its face in Wednesday's local by-elections, which had been viewed by observers as a barometer of public sentiment turning increasingly against the conservative administration pounded by escalating financial woes.

The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) won five of the 14 local posts that were up
for grabs including the country chief position in the conservative Ulsan region,
while the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) managed to take only one. A
right-leaning minority party and independent candidates put up a surprisingly
good fight, securing seven wins.
Although the elections were small in scale and did not include any legislative
seats, experts said they will be the first gauge of public sentiment since
President Lee Myung-bak's party was handed an embarrassing defeat in the last
local elections in June.
Turnout for Wednesday's elections hit 33.8 percent, with about 140,000 people
among the electorate of 420,000 voting, the election watchdog said. The turnout
was up 10.5 percentage points from the June by-elections, reflecting the
relatively higher voter participation in the country's farming districts,
analysts said.
The ruling GNP, which won only 10 of 52 races during the June by-elections, has
been determined to secure victory this time, standing 10 candidates, the largest
number among the parties.
While the elections had been more favorable for the GNP as many races took place
in the southeastern districts that traditionally support the conservative party,
remaining low approval ratings of President Lee had been a source of concern.
President Lee's popularity plunged after deciding in April to resume imports of
U.S. beef. Recent polls show that his approval ratings continue to hover around
the 20 percent range, largely due to public distrust of his economic
policymakers.
A recent corruption scandal, involving several high-ranking officials and ruling
party lawmakers who allegedly pilfered state farming subsidies, has also been
eroding the credibility of the eight-month-old Lee government as it strives to
put its reforms back on track.
The snowballing case first made headlines earlier this month, when Lee's vice
health minister was found to have applied for the subsidies by falsely claiming
she farmed rice. The disgraced vice minister was replaced last week as the fourth
Cabinet member to leave office since Lee was inaugurated late February.
The ruling party thanked voters for their support and pledged to work harder in
securing balanced national development and overcoming the economic crisis.
"The party pays gratitude to all and everyone who showed us support and voted for
us," said the party's secretary-general Ahn Kyung-yul. "We will not forget this
day and do our best to keep the pledge of regional and economic development."
The main opposition DP, which holds only 83 seats in the 299-member parliament,
as opposed to its rival's 172, had not showed as much enthusiasm in winning
Wednesday's elections, but still appeared surprised by its crushing defeat. The
party had stood five candidates, managing to win only one post.
The party's spokespeople were not immediately available for comment.
hayney@yna.co.kr