South Korea’s liberal opposition party has won by a landslide in parliamentary elections – with senior ruling party politicians reportedly offering to resign following the crushing defeat.
The results of Wednesday’s election are a huge political blow to President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has three years left in office.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Mr Yoon’s top advisers tendered their resignations, according to South Korean media, including Yonhap news agency.
In a separate news conference, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling conservative People Power Party who spearheaded its election campaign, said he would step down to take responsibility for the defeat.
“I apologise to the people on behalf of our party, which wasn’t good enough to win the people’s choices,” he said.
Mr Yoon said he would “humbly” accept the result of the election – widely considered a midterm referendum on his presidency – and pledged to improve people’s economic situations and reform state affairs.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
With most of the votes counted, the main opposition Democratic Party – led by Lee Jae-myung – and its satellite party appeared to have won a combined 175 seats in the 300-member National Assembly.
A splinter liberal party considered allied with the DP was expected to take 12 seats, projections showed.
However, the outcome leaves the bloc short of the 200 seats needed for a super-majority which would have given it legislative powers to overturn vetoes and even impeach the president.
Read more from Sky News:
Police to review decision to charge Caroline Flack
The smuggler charging thousands to dodge army draft
Mr Yoon’s PPP and its satellite party were projected to have obtained 108 seats.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
He has been battling low approval ratings and a liberal opposition-controlled parliament that has limited his major policy platforms.
An official announcement of the results is due later on Thursday.
