[Annotated] Moon Jae-in wins South Korea's presidential elections by a landslide

By a landslide^[각주:1]

As remarkable is how well the country's conservatives did

He was imprisoned^[각주:2] for months for protesting, then as a student, against the dictatorship of Park Chung-hee in the 1970s. After millions demonstrated for the removal of^[각주:3] Park Geun-hye, General Park's daughter, South Koreans voted on May 9th for that former student dissident^[각주:4], Moon Jae-in, to succeed her^[각주:5]. Mr Moon has become South Korea's first liberal president in almost a decade, elected in an unusual snap election^[각주:6] triggered^[각주:7] two months ago by Ms Park's sacking^[각주:8]. He won 41% of the vote in the single-round^[각주:9] system with no minimum threshold^[각주:10]: a remarkably strong mandate^[각주:11] in a contest among 13 candidates, the most crowded race in South Korea's electoral history^[각주:12]. His 17 percentage-point lead on the runner-up^[각주:13], a conservative, is the highest ever.

Still, Mr Moon's victory was no surprise: he had led the polls for four months; support for his Minjoo party during the two-month campaign for the presidency hit its highest on record^[각주:14]. Ms Park's trial on charges of abuse of power and the demanding or collecting of 59bn won ($52m) in bribes began last week. She is a bitter disappointment for many voters who had been charmed^[각주:15], in the election that brought her to power in 2012, by her reputation for integrity^[각주:16]. Expectations are high for Mr Moon, during his single five-year term, to see through^[각주:17] the "regime change" he promises. His promises to root out^[각주:18] corruption that flows from close links between government and big business - "clearing out the evil^[각주:19]", he has called it - and to create a fairer society struck a chord^[각주:20] in recent months. Mr Moon says he will set up a special department to get to the bottom of the presidential scandal.

Over 77% voted, the highest turnout^[각주:21] in two decades. He has enormous appeal^[각주:22] for South Korea's disenchanted^[각주:23] voters, especially the unemployed young: over half of those aged between 20 and 40 voted for him, according to exit polls^[각주:24]. He has promised to reserve a third of over 800,000 new jobs he claims^[각주:25] he can create, mainly in the public sector, for the young. He also wants to hike^[각주:26] the minimum wage^[각주:27]. In his acceptance speech^[각주:28] on May 10th, Mr Moon pledged to^[각주:29] build a country "where rules and logic apply^[각주:30]". Kim Hyung-jun, a young father who took his toddler^[각주:31] to a polling station^[각주:32] in central^[각주:33] Seoul on May 9th, said that he was voting to create a better society for his daughter: one "where everyone begins at the same line", not where "the rich and powerful have a head start^[각주:34]". 

Mr Moon grew up poor. His parents are refugees from Hungnam, a North Korean port city^[각주:35] evacuated^[각주:36] in 1950 shortly after the start of the Korean war. The family was resettled in^[각주:37] Geoje, where he was born (the southern island has produced^[각주:38] another South Korean president in the democratic era, Kim Young-sam). Mr Moon began his political career as chief of staff Roh Moo-hyun, a late^[각주:39] liberal president in office from 2003 to 2008, with whom he had set up a law firm in the 1980s dealing with human-rights^[각주:40] cases. Mr Moon then ran for^[각주:41] the presidency himself in 2012, and was narrowly^[각주:42] defeated by Ms Park in a two-way^[각주:43] race. He often appeared at the million-strong^[각주:44] protests that began against her in October.

The challenges he faces now as president are formidable^[각주:45]. He comes to power^[각주:46] at a time of unprecedented^[각주:47] flux^[각주:48] in North-East Asia: China, South Korea's main economic partner, is tormenting over the installation of an American anti-missile defence system^[각주:49] known as THAAD, which went into operation^[각주:50] last week. Confused policy towards the peninsula under Donald Trump has ratcheted up^[각주:51] tension and risked undermining the alliance that has long helped protect South Korea against the existential threat^[각주:52] posed by the North. Mr Trump abruptly threatened a fortnight^[각주:53] ago to make the South pay the $1bn cost of THAAD. As the American president has declared an end to an era of "strategic patience" towards the North, Mr Moon has threatened, for his part, to review the deal finalized^[각주:54] under Ms Park.

How to deal with a threatening^[각주:55] North Korea became a major issue during the election campaign. Mr Moon calls for^[각주:56] more engagement and dialogue with^[각주:57] the North. But hawks'^[각주:58] fears that Mr Moon will reopen^[각주:59] an old liberal era of "sunshine" that gave the North the benefit of the doubt^[각주:60] along with lashings of^[각주:61] aid are surely overdone^[각주:62]. Since that era North Korea has exploded five underground nuclear devices and ramped up^[각주:63] its belligerent^[각주:64] threats. Scott Snyder of the Council on Foreign Relations, an American think-tank, says that resolutions passed by the UN Security Council have blocked economic deals that would have been allowed^[각주:65] when Mr Moon worked under Roh. Nor do South Koreans want to be seen as bowing to^[각주:66] pressure from China.

And then, even if Mr Moon were inclined to^[각주:67] reverse^[각주:68] policy towards North Korea, he would have to contend with^[각주:69] the politics of the National Assembly. His Minjoo party does not hold a majority^[각주:70], and the next parliamentary elections^[각주:71] do not take place^[각주:72] until April 2020. Hong Joon-pyo, the presidential candidate^[각주:73] who represented Ms Park's former party (then Saenuri, now rebranded^[각주:74] as Liberty Korea), had a remarkably strong showing^[각주:75] in the election , of 24%. Ahn Cheol-soo, who ran under the banner of the People's Party, a centrist^[각주:76] group that split from Minjoo last year, supports THAAD and opposes Mr Moon's plan to reopen the Kaesong industrial complex^[각주:77] on the border with North Korea, a sunshine-era initiative^[각주:78] that Ms Park shuttered^[각주:79]. 

Mr Moon will need to negotiate with^[각주:80] him and others to govern. He has already been courting^[각주:81] Mr Ahn's party: both parties, he says, "come form the same roots". Some suggest it could even decide to merge again with Minjoo, which would give the ruling party^[각주:82] a 150-seat majority. On May 10th he appointed Lee Nak-yon, current governor of South Jeolla province, as his prime minister^[각주:83], promising to share more power and responsibility with his cabinet^[각주:84]. That includes plans to introduce a system that reflects opinion-poll^[각주:85] results in government appointments^[각주:86]. 

Support for Liberty Korea also suggests the new president will be governing a fractured^[각주:87] nation. A "resentful pocket" of conservatives, says Shin Gi-wook of Standford University, has coalesced around^[각주:88] Mr Hong. He has referred to civic organizations^[각주:89], many of which led the protests against Ms Park, as^[각주:90] "thieving bastards", and pledged to^[각주:91] carry out^[각주:92] the first executions^[각주:93] in two decades; his campaign slogan promised^[각주:94] a South Korea free of "pro-North leftists". This old-school^[각주:95] conservatism continues to resonate^[각주:96], particularly in Gyeongsang - an eastern region that, as the Park family base, has long been a conservative stronghold^[각주:97] - and with the elderly^[각주:98]: half of those over 60 voted for Mr Hong.

Other rifts^[각주:99], too, will test Mr Moon's promise, in his acceptance speech, to be a "president for all". Shim Sang-jung, head of the Justice Party, received more votes than any other minor progressive candidate has in previous elections: she is the only candidate to support an anti-discrimination act^[각주:100] to uphold^[각주:101] the rights of minorities. According to exit polls, those in their 20s voted in greater numbers for Yoo Seung-min, a minor reformist^[각주:102] conservative, than they did for Mr Hong. On his first day in office, Mr Moon says that he will be speaking to the heads of all four opposition parties before holding a meeting^[각주:103] with his own.

1. win by a landslide ; 압도적 승리를 거두다 [본문으로]
2. imprison ; [타동사][VN] [흔히 수동태로] 투옥하다, 감금하다 [본문으로]
3. removal ; 3. [U] ~ (of sb) 해고 [본문으로]
4. dissident ; [명사] 반체제 인사 [본문으로]
5. succeed ; 3. [타동사][VN] (…의 자리・지위 등의) 뒤를 잇다 ;; 참고 succession [본문으로]
6. snap election ; 조기 선거, 갑작스런 선거 ; An election that the ruler or party which is in power calls before the regularly scheduled election time, in order to serve a political purpose. [본문으로]
7. trigger ; [vn] 1. ~ sth (off) 촉발시키다 [본문으로]
8. sacking ; 1. [C] 파면, 해고 [본문으로]
9. single-round ; 단판 승부 [본문으로]
10. minimum threshold ; 최소 임계값, 최소 임계기준 [본문으로]
11. mandate ; 2. (정부의) 통치[재임] 기간 ;; 문맥상 "여론조사에서 꾸준히 계속 1위를 해온 것" 을 표현 [본문으로]
12. electoral ; [형용사] (명사 앞에만 씀) 선거의 [본문으로]
13. runner-up ; [명사] pl. runners-up (경주・대회의) 차점자[팀], 2위 (선수・팀); (1위 외의) 입상자 [본문으로]
14. on[upon] (the) record ; 공표된, 공식으로 언명된 [본문으로]
15. charm ; 1. 매혹[매료]하다 [본문으로]
16. integrity ; [U] 1. 진실성 [본문으로]
17. see through ; (보통 진행형으로는 쓰이지 않음) (포기하지 않고) ~을 끝까지 해내다 [본문으로]
18. root out ; [동사] 캐내다, 찾아내다; 뿌리째 뽑다, 근절시키다, 소탕하다. ;; 동의어 uncover, dig out; eradicate, exterminate. [본문으로]
19. clearing out the evil ; 정황상 "적폐청산" 구호에 대한 해석 [본문으로]
20. strike[touch] a chord ; (~의) 심금을 울리다 [본문으로]
21. turnout ; 2. 투표자의 수, 투표율 [본문으로]
22. appeal ; 2. [U] 매력 [본문으로]
23. disenchanted ; [형용사] ~ (with sb/sth) 환멸을 느낀, 환상이 깨진 [본문으로]
24. exit polls ; [명사] (투표장) 출구 조사 [본문으로]
25. claim ; 1. SAY STH IS TRUE | (…이 사실이라고) 주장하다 [본문으로]
26. hike ; 3. [타동사][VN] ~ sth (up) 대폭 인상하다 [본문으로]
27. minimum wage ; [명사] 최저 임금 [본문으로]
28. acceptance speech ; (후보 지명 등의) 수락[수상] 연설 [본문으로]
29. pledge to ; ~할 것을 공약하다 [본문으로]
30. apply ; 4. BE RELEVANT | [진행형으로는 쓰이지 않음] ~ (to sb/sth) 적용되다, 해당되다 [본문으로]
31. toddler ; [명사] 걸음마를 배우는 아이 [본문으로]
32. polling station ; [명사] 투표소[장] [본문으로]
33. central ; 3. (지역・사물의) 중심[중앙]인 [본문으로]
34. head start ; [명사] ~ (on/over sb) (남보다 일찍 시작해서 갖게 되는) 유리함 [본문으로]
35. port city ; [명사] (지리학) 항만 도시(港灣都市) [본문으로]
36. evacuate ; 1. [타동사][VN] (위험 지역에서 사람들을) 대피[소개(疏開)]시키다 [본문으로]
37. resettle ; 1. (새로운 나라・지역에) 재정착[이주]하다[하게 하다] [본문으로]
38. produce ; 6. PERSON | (도시・국가 등이 사람을) 배출하다 [본문으로]
39. late ; 4. [명사 앞에만 씀] (사람이) 고인이 된, 이미 사망한 [본문으로]
40. human right ; [명사] (주로 복수로) 인권 [본문으로]
41. run for ; 출마하다 [본문으로]
42. narrowly ; . 가까스로, 간신히, 아슬아슬하게 ; 적은 차이로 [본문으로]
43. two-way ; [형용사] 양 방향의, 쌍방의 [본문으로]
44. million-strong ; 백만명이나 되는 ; 강조의 의미로 strong을 붙인것으로 보임 [본문으로]
45. formidable ; [형용사] 가공할, 어마어마한 [본문으로]
46. come to[into] power ; 정권을 장악하다, 집권하다 [본문으로]
47. unprecedented ; [형용사] 전례 없는, 미증유의 [본문으로]
48. flux ; 1. [U] 끊임없는 변화[유동] [본문으로]
49. anti-missile defence system ; 미사일 요격 방어 체계 [본문으로]
50. go into operation ; 작동하다, 가동하다. [본문으로]
51. ratchet up ; 조금씩 증가하다[시키다] [본문으로]
52. existential threat ; 실제적인 위협 [본문으로]
53. fortnight ; [명사] (주로 단수로) 2주일(간) [본문으로]
54. finalize ; [타동사][VN] 마무리짓다, 완결하다 [본문으로]
55. threatening ; 1. 협박하는, 위협적인 [본문으로]
56. call for ; 2. …을 요구하다, …을 필요로 하다 [본문으로]
57. a dialogue with ; …와의 대화. [본문으로]
58. hawk ; 2. (특히 정치인이, 군사적 해결책을 지지하는) 매파[강경파] [본문으로]
59. reopen ; 2. 재개하다 [본문으로]
60. give sb the benefit of the doubt ; (그렇지 않음을 증명할 수가 없으므로) ~의 말을 믿어 주다[~가 잘못을 저지르지 않았다고 보다] ;; benefit of the doubt ; [명사] (법률) (증거 불충분의 경우) 무죄 추정; 유리한[선의의] 해석. [본문으로]
61. lashing ; 2. [pl.] 많음(plenty) ((of)) [본문으로]
62. overdo ; 2. 지나치게 많이 쓰다[이용하다] [본문으로]
63. ramp up ; ~을 늘리다[증가시키다] [본문으로]
64. belligerent ; 1. 적대적인, 공격적인 [본문으로]
65. be allowed ; 허용되다 [본문으로]
66. bow to sth ; (마지못해) 인정하다[받아들이다] [본문으로]
67. be inclined to ; …하고 싶어지다; …경향이 있다 [본문으로]
68. reverse ; 2. CHANGE TO OPPOSITE | [타동사][VN] (결정 등을) 뒤집다 [본문으로]
69. contend with ; (곤란한 문제나 상황과) 씨름하다 [본문으로]
70. hold a majority ; 과반수를 차지하다 [본문으로]
71. parliamentary elections ; 의회 선거 [본문으로]
72. take place ; (특히 미리 준비되거나 계획된 일이) 개최되다[일어나다] [본문으로]
73. presidential candidate ; 대선후보 [본문으로]
74. rebrand ; [타동사][VN] (기업・조직 등이) 브랜드 이미지를 새롭게 하다[쇄신하다] [본문으로]
75. showing ; 2. [주로 단수로] 실력[솜씨] 발휘, 실적 [본문으로]
76. centrist ; [명사] 중도주의자 [본문으로]
77. industrial complex ; 공업 단지, 콤비나트 [본문으로]
78. initiative ; 1. [C] (특정한 문제 해결・목적 달성을 위한 새로운) 계획 [본문으로]
79. shutter ; 2. to close a business, store, etc. permanently or for a limited time [본문으로]
80. negotiate with ; ~와 협상하다 [본문으로]
81. court ; 1. TRY TO PLEASE | [타동사][VN] …의 환심을 사려고 하다 [본문으로]
82. ruling party ; [명사] 제1당, 여당 [본문으로]
83. prime minister ; 국무총리, 수상(Premier) [본문으로]
84. cabinet ; 1. [C+sing./pl. v.] the Cabinet (정부의) 내각 [본문으로]
85. opinion result ; 여론 조사 [본문으로]
86. appointment ; 2. [C , U] ~ (as/to sth) 임명, 지명 [본문으로]
87. fracture ; 2. (격식) (사회・단체 등이[을]) 분열되다[시키다] [본문으로]
88. coalesce ; [자동사][V] ~ (into/with sth) (격식) (더 큰 덩어리로) 합치다 [본문으로]
89. civic organization ; [명사] 시민(운동) 단체[기구]. [본문으로]
90. refer to ... as ; (… 에 대해) 언급하다[거론하다/들먹이다/말하다] [본문으로]
91. pledge to ; 공약하다, 약속하다, 맹세하다 [본문으로]
92. carry out ; ~을 수행[이행]하다 [본문으로]
93. execution ; 2. [U] (격식) 실행, 수행 [본문으로]
94. promise ; 1. ~ sth (to sb) | ~ sb sth 약속하다 [본문으로]
95. old-school ; [형용사] 구식의, 전통적인 [본문으로]
96. resonate ; 3. ~ (with sb/sth) (…을) 상기시키다[떠올리게 하다]; (…의) 공명을 받다[반향을 불러일으키다] [본문으로]
97. stronghold ; 1. (특정 사상・집단의) 근거지[중심지], (특히 특정 정당의) 지지 지역 [본문으로]
98. elderly ; 2. [pl.] the elderly 연세 드신 분들, 어르신들 [본문으로]
99. rift ; 1. (사람들 사이의) 균열[틈] [본문으로]
100. anti-discrimination act ; 차별금지법 [본문으로]
101. uphold ; (up・held , up・held / -'held /), [vn] 1. (법・원칙 등을) 유지시키다[옹호하다] [본문으로]
102. reformist ; [형용사] 개혁적인, 개혁을 원하는 [본문으로]
103. hold a meeting ; 회의를 열다, 개최하다 [본문으로]