Splits and scandal stymie strategy in Seoul

Subject

The impact of recent by-elections and an ongoing corruption scandal.

Significance

Lee Wan-koo resigned as premier on April 21 after just two months in post. He and seven other associates of President Park Geun-hye were named in an interview and suicide note by Sung Wan-jong -- former head of a construction firm -- who hanged himself on April 9. All deny taking money from Sung, but Lee's position became untenable. In better news for Park, her Saenuri Party won three hitherto opposition-held seats in by-elections on April 29. Her approval rating as of May 1 was 39%, up four points in a week.

Impacts

• Park's personal popularity is holding up, but this does not imply effective policy-making ahead.
• The main opposition, which lost all four by-elections, is in turmoil and may split.
• Park may try to regain popularity by easing policy toward North Korea.