As South Koreans Vote, Ruling Party’s In Trouble

Under renewed military challenge from North Korea, South Koreans are voting today for a new Parliament in an election widely seen as a referendum on the country’s ruling party.

As more than 16,000 polling stations opened around the country, officials were predicting less than 70 percent turnout - one of the lowest rates ever.

President Kim Young-sam’s governing New Korea Party has a one-seat majority in Parliament: 150 of 299 seats.

Recent polls have suggested the party could lose its majority, prompting a major reorganization of South Korean politics.