SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The mayor of Seoul, South Korea, has lost a referendum on free school lunches but hasn't said if he'll resign.
Oh Se-hoon had vowed to leave if less than a third of Seoul's 8 million eligible voters particpated. Wednesday's turnout of 25.7 percent doesn't meet the legal requirement for counting ballots.
Voters were asked if Seoul should fund free lunches to all elementary and middle school students or 50 percent of all schoolchildren. Oh supported the 50 percent plan.
The referendum's failure means the full option takes effect. The program sparked national debate over how far South Korea should pursue a welfare state.
Oh deplored the turnout in a news conference but did not say if he would leave.
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