Pandemic Worsens Political Confusion: Effects on Governments - Essay Sample

Introduction

The global outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic may have provided opportunities for many political leaders to exploit the situation, either by solidifying domestic power or internationally pursuing their interests. But many governments look more confused due to the rapid spread and the dangers caused by the disease, and in some countries the pandemic adversely affect political elites. And, the pandemic has weakened the ability of many authorities to make political decisions. Notably, the pandemic hit East Asia region a little earlier compared to other areas and currently it has recorded more than 90000 cases, with over 2500 fatalities (Kavanagh & Singh, 2020). According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the disease may cause global economic contraction of approximately 3%, and the hardest hit is expected in the East Asian region (Kye & Hwang, 2020).

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Political Situation

Additionally, COVID-19 has affected the political situation, and only a few countries can organize their elections. Nevertheless, the crisis has informed many leaders to order restrictive measures that focus on banning of large public gatherings to avert the spread of the virus (Kavanagh & Singh, 2020). Such measures have affected political leaders, especially in the East Asia countries, from holding public meetings. The paper seeks to discuss the effect of COVID-19 on political situations both in South Korea and Japan.

South Korea has been applauded for its response to the pandemic, which integrates the extensive testing and more innovative strategies, including the utilization of phone booths which are used for separating health providers and the patients and can give results in less than seven minutes (Kavanagh & Singh, 2020). Also, more effort has been employed to ensure that private and public data are triangulated to track patients. Even though the country receives positive responses from foreign leaders, the pandemic has affected elections in South Korea, and little concern has been given to how the public views the government’s response to the virus. According to the research conducted by Macromill Embrain, both members of the Progressive Justice Party (PJP) and President Moon’s Democratic Party were satisfied by the response of the government on COVID-19 outbreak in the country (Kavanagh & Singh, 2020).

Elections

More imperatively, the elections in South Korea mainly depends on people’s perception of how Moon’s administration responds to the virus, which has decreased the popularity of the party (Anzai et al., 2020). According to the sentiments of the opposition leaders, the president failed to act with averting measures quickly but hosted nonsensical gatherings while cases were already recording 100 (Kavanagh & Singh, 2020). Understandably, online petitions indicated a perpetual split concerning party ideologies, with one side demanding the impeachment of the president, and the other side supporting Moon. Therefore, research revealed difficulties in developing a broad agreement on the response to the disease when ideological and party differences became a significant factor, especially during the electioneering period (Kye & Hwang, 2020). Fortunately, the country’s past experiences with comparable COVID-19 pandemic gave proper guidelines and allowed rapid response instead of devolution into partisan debates.

As a result of the pandemic, the diplomatic relationship between South Korea and Japan deteriorated, as the country objected the passive and ambiguous quarantine measures imposed by Japan (Kye & Hwang, 2020). Thus, Japan announced that people who come from South Korea has to be placed under quarantine for not less than two weeks at the designated sites (Kye & Hwang, 2020). Even though a significant number of the citizens supported Moon’s impeachment motion because of sending medical supplies and masks to China to assist in preventing the spread of the virus, the measures imposed by the administration were unanimously recognized in different sectors of the economy and by the international groups.

Politicians

Generally, 2020 was perceived to be the year for many politicians in Japan; however, the disruptions caused by the disease have impacted the political calendar in more fundamental ways. For instance, from the Diet session dates to the cabinet reshuffle as well as to state visits, the change of events have affected the process of decision-making at different government levels, specifically on the political arena (Tashiro & Shaw, 2020). Regardless of the state of emergency in Japan, the session of the Diet was persistently conducted as stipulated in the law, and Prime Minister Abe’s administration did not extend the session.

The pandemic also affected the visit by the Chinese President Xi Jinping in which Abe postponed the coming on 5th March (Tashiro & Shaw, 2020). It was to be the first state visit by the head of the Chinese government, and it would have triggered political events in the country. Notably, LDP-Komeito coalition has encountered no important elections, which may only resume after the expiry of the current Lower House, probably in 2021 (Tashiro & Shaw, 2020). The Upper House elections are scheduled to happen in 2022 during summer (Anzai et al., 2020). Also, the municipal and prefectural elections are scheduled in April 2023 due to the pandemic.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is worth noting that COVID-19 pandemic has influenced significant political situations in South Korea, Japan and in entire East Asia. The political situations, especially elections in South Korea, were based upon the response of the government on the pandemic. Most people were against the president, but still, Moon won the election. Understandably, the political events were postponed in Japan with many elections pushed up to 2023.

References

Anzai, A., Kobayashi, T., Linton, N. M., Kinoshita, R., Hayashi, K., Suzuki, A., ... & Nishiura, H. (2020). Assessing the impact of reduced travel on exportation dynamics of novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(2), 601.
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/2/601/htm

Kavanagh, M. M., & Singh, R. (2020). Democracy, Capacity, and Coercion in Pandemic Response—COVID 19 in Comparative Political Perspective. Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law.
https://read.dukeupress.edu/jhppl/article-abstract/doi/10.1215/03616878-8641530/165294

Kye, B., & Hwang, S. J. (2020). Social trust in the midst of pandemic crisis: Implications from COVID-19 of South Korea. Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, 100523.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027656242030059772

Tashiro, A., & Shaw, R. (2020). COVID19 Pandemic Response in Japan: What Is behind the Initial Flattening of the Curve?. Sustainability, 12(13), 5250.
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/13/5250.