The Democratic Party (DP) is expected to take more than 170 of the 300 seats in South Korea's legislature, National Election Commission data showed after 99% of votes were counted as of 5:55 a.m. Thursday local time.

“You are giving the Democratic Party the responsibility to take responsibility for people’s livelihoods and create a better society,” said DP leader Lee Jae-myung, who won a seat in Inch City, west of the capital Seoul, after defeating a strong candidate from the People Power Party (PPP).

President Yoon's PPP is forecast to win just over 100 seats, but still avoid the danger threshold of an opposition two-thirds majority in parliament - which could block presidential vetoes and pass constitutional amendments.

The National Election Commission (NEC) is expected to announce the official results later today (April 11). According to the NEC, nearly 29.7 million people, or 67% of eligible voters, have cast their ballots.

It marked the highest turnout ever for a parliamentary election in South Korea, although it was smaller than the 2022 presidential election that narrowly brought Mr Yoon to power.

President Yoon, who takes office in May 2022, has suffered low ratings for months as he struggles to deliver on pledges to cut taxes, ease business regulations and improve the world's fastest aging population.

Hoang Anh (according to Yonhap, Reuters, CNA)