Reuters The death knell for conservative rule is getting louder by the day in South Korea, where voters are rejecting the big-business friendly policies of the government and demand a fairer share of the country's growing wealth. The Grand National Party's dramatic fall from grace in Asia's fourth largest economy raises the prospect of a shift in policy to a more welfare-oriented system, as well as change in its North Korea strategy and shift in ties with Washington. The popular vote is not going to a rival left-leaning party, rather to so-called “people candidates” - high-profile civilians with no political affiliation. Local media has cast this as a vote of no-confidence in the political establishment. Less than six months before South Korea elects a new parliament and just over a year out from a presidential poll, the conservatives last week suffered their second big by-election loss this year, mirroring opinion polls which show it is in serious trouble. In last week's vote for the mayor of Seoul - the country's capital and the largest constituency - the GNP was cast out of office for the first time in nearly a decade. An analysis of the results translates into the GNP losing about 30 seats in the 299-seat national assembly, which signals an end to its majority rule. Moreover, no president has ever won office without carrying Seoul. But the GNP is not alone in losing favor with the electorate. The main opposition Democratic Party failed even to make it through to the two-way run-off for Seoul mayor. Analysts say young and working class voters are tired of both of the country's largest parties. “Most of the votes in this election could be labeled as the vote against the establishment, voicing the need for change in the current politics, hence the clear loser of the election would be the GNP,” said Hyun Jae-ho of Korea University. While the Democrats themselves do not pose a direct threat in the general election, surveys show that if the left pool their vote in an alliance of liberal, or so-called “progressive” parties, they could end GNP majority rule in parliament. “This election showed the strength of the civic groups in politics, but the problem is whether there are enough star players from civic groups who can act as the face of the people like Park was for the mayor election,” said Woo Jung-yup of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. At the forefront of the anti-establishment movement are the winner in the mayoral race, Park Won-soon, a human rights lawyer and anti-corruption campaigner, and software mogul-turned university professor Ahn Cheol-soo. Both men's politics lean to the left. Opinion polls show Ahn has bolted from the blue to emerge as the frontrunner for next year's presidential election, even though he has stated he has no interest in running. Analysts say there is a good chance he will change his mind given the current mood in the electorate. __
