While it was South Korea's ruling Saenuri party that lost last week's parliamentary elections, they were especially damaging to President Park Geun-hye. The results not only cripple the president's ability to govern, but they are a stunning repudiation of her tenure in office. South Korea looks set for political gridlock and some are even asking if Park is a lame duck, with a little less than two years to go in her five-year term.
Elected in 2012, Park has had three tumultuous years in office. The economy has slowed, her policies have been inconsistent and her reforms have been blocked by a recalcitrant parliament. Much of the blame has been heaped on Park, who is widely viewed as aloof, isolated, and inconsistent, and parts of her government are thought to be quick to manipulate the public for electoral results — such as reports before the April 13 vote of high-level North Korean defections, presumably to encourage South Koreans to back the ruling party.
Saenuri had 152 seats in the 300-seat assembly. The party was anticipated to maintain that majority, but it sustained stunning losses, dropping to 122 seats. It was overtaken by the Minjoo Party of Korea, which claimed 123 seats and is now the largest party in the National Assembly.