S.Koreans are voting in general elections April 15 amid #CoronavirusPandemic. Let's unpack:
Why, how, & what it means for S.Korean democracy
Topics determining votes
Impact on foreign policy & inter-Korean relations
N.Korean efforts to sway votes ..1/

Why: Koreans have trauma from 2 authoritarian regimes 1963-1988. President can legally postpone over calamities. But elections are essential to Koreans' democracy: they voted during the Korean War in 1952 presidential elections. See more cases https://twitter.com/duyeonkim/status/1242826031209295875?s=19 ..2/

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/

Topics: Moon govt's handling of #CoronavirusOutbreak, struggling economy, corruption scandals of presidential aides, welfare, electoral reform. Koreans vote on domestic issues & party loyalty in general elections, but foreign policies are impacted by election results..5/

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/

FP impact: Key candidates will use general elex as either popularity testbed or springboard to 2022 presidenial elex. Majority party can influence natl sec & foreign policies: e.g., # of soldiers & conscription duration; defense budget; intl agreements needing approval..7/

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/

NKorean influence: NK always tries to influence SKorean elex via provocations & propaganda machine to further divide progressives & conservatives. NK wants progressives to rule because their ideology align. This time: blasted conservatives & for recruiting 2 NK defectors..10/

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/