






So, voters required to wear masks & disposable gloves, take temp, stand >1m apart, #COVID19 patients mail votes if applied, symptomatic people vote at makeshift booths, etc. But problems, i.e. half of overseas can't vote cuz pandemic suspended election ops in 51 countries ..3/
Early voting April 10-11 recorded highest-ever voter turnout of 26.69%
Elections will be a referendum on Moon & progressives' domestic policies..4/
Elections will be a referendum on Moon & progressives' domestic policies..4/

35 parties registered candidates, but main race: ruling Democratic Party (progressive) vs main opposition United Future Party (conservative) & their satellite parties (new election law) formed to win more proportional rep seats. 300 seats: 253 elected, 47 proportional rep..6/

Moon govt will also try to use post-elex time to reset key inter-Korean & foreign policies. A progressive victory will embolden him even more to drive them: e.g., inter-Korean projects (if NK is willing) & enough autonomy from US to up chances for 2022 elex; ..8/
bolder in US alliance (e.g. speed up OPCON transition) & SKorea-Japan relations (e.g. terminate GSOMIA) as nationalism & autonomy are key cornerstones of progressive ideology. Will see if/when Moon reshuffles cabinet & natl sec team to reinvigorate key foreign policies ..9/

But this time, NK isn't a factor in SKorean elections. Many SKorean commentators even point out that #coronavirus stamped out the "Northern winds" (북풍) NK variable that SKorean politicians & candidates use to swing votes ..11/