Despite polling below 10% just last month, South Korean presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo has surged in the polls in recent weeks, taking the lead in several surveys last weekend.
The dramatic swing of South Korean voter sentiment comes in part due to China’s attempt to pressure South Korea to remove the THAAD missile defense system.
China’s actions have badly misfired, as voter sentiment, initially opposed to the deployment of THAAD, has swiftly reacted to Beijing’s pressure by supporting Ahn’s promise to keep the missile system.
Beijing will now probably have to wait at least until after the elections next month to stop its counterproductive demonizing of South Korean businesses and tourism. But if China’s goal was for Korea to remove THAAD, it looks as if the damage is already done, and it is there to stay.
I am sorry for Beijing, and the THAAD is to stay. Maybe, Beijing needs to work out with NK to stop its nuclear ambitious.
There will be more dark horses as people oppose US sponsored candidates and proaganda by the media. South Koreans do not want THAAD, will support the dark horses and know that elections are a stacked deck with US candidates being financed by USA and US dominated local media broadcasting misinformation and lies constantly.
South Koreans admire the Filipinos for throwing out US sponsored politicians
China should not reward USA for its provocative bad behaviour.
Stay then, just dont expect to make money from China market. Look to sell more to USA.
The war business keeps many employed but it would be nice to rid the planet of rougue terroristic regimes (DPRK, IRAN, SYRIA), and others like SUDAN where the country’s weath is stolen so the rulers can have mansions in the US. However war tech is a must for the US who has to police the planet in order for world peace and to save lives.
Ken is represent of Vietnamese communist government
whoever wins THAAD cannot be overturned
Wtf are you talking about.
Timothy Bowman lucky you
Regardless of American intentions, the Xi Jinping government has made a serious strategic error of judgement in their treatment of the South Koreans this time around. After a couple of thousand years of juggling prickly Korean diplomatic sensibilities, you’d think the Chinese would know that Koreans don’t just roll over under coercive provocation, and they don’t forget.
This has to be the most stupid thing I’ve heard in awhile.