Voters headed to the polls on Wednesday to choose new representatives in two parliamentary districts.
One seat went to the main opposition Liberty Korea Party... and the other to the minor Justice Party.
The results are seen as a win for the minor blocs and a disappointment for the ruling party.
Kim Mok-yeon reports.
Both constituencies are in Gyeongsangnam-do Province. It was a win for the minor progressive Justice Party in the district of Changwon Seongsan, while the district of Tongyeong-Goseong went to the main opposition Liberty Korea Party.
The ruling Democratic Party was disappointed after it failed to pick up any new seats.
Floor leader Hong Young-pyo said the party humbly accepts the results, but on the bright side, claimed they got double the vote they did in those districts compared to the general election in 2012.
"Although we lost in Tongyeong-Goseong, the number of people voting for our party nearly doubled when compared to the 19th general election. I want to applaud our candidate for trying his best."
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party, which fared relatively well, said that the poor results of the ruling party are a reflection of the current government's performance.
"The results show that the public is not willing to sit and watch the Moon Jae-in administration's self-righteousness and arrogance. It's the public's way of demanding a change in policy"
The Justice Party, having grabbed another seat, seems even more motivated to push for political reform.
By allying with the minor Party for Democracy and Peace, it'll be able to form a negotiating bloc in parliament.
That's because combined the two parties will have 20 lawmakers, the minimum threshold.
That would give them a greater say in legislative affairs and create a four-party system in the National Assembly.
With neither of the two largest blocs securing a full win, it remains to be seen how the parties reshape themselves before the April 2020 general elections.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News.
