President Yoon Suk Yeol is greeted by soldiers during his visit to a border unit of the Army's 15th Infantry Division, Tuesday. Courtesy of the presidential office
President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to visit the Czech Republic, Thursday, to forge a "nuclear energy alliance" with the Central European nation, a strategic move the presidential office apparently hopes will bolster his approval ratings, which recently sank to a record low.
The visit, marking the first by a Korean president in nine years, comes after the Czech government selected Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power as the preferred bidder for the 24 trillion won ($17.3 billion) Dukovany nuclear power plant project in July.
Diplomacy has been a central element of Yoon's policy agenda, and his previous foreign trips, such as his recent participation in the NATO summit in July, have temporarily eased domestic political pressure.
However, political observers suggest that even if Yoon's visit to Prague yields tangible results, it is unlikely to significantly address the growing challenges he faces at home.
Yoon's four-day itinerary in the Czech Republic will focus on strengthening economic partnerships, with over 50 Korean business leaders — including representatives of the country's four largest conglomerates, Samsung, SK, Hyundai and LG — accompanying him.
On the first day of the visit, Yoon will hold a summit with Czech President Petr Pavel, followed by a joint press conference and an official dinner.
Returning home with tangible achievements is crucial for the president as he contends with growing public dissatisfaction with his job performance.
According to a Gallup Korea survey released last Friday, Yoon's approval rating has dropped to 20 percent, the lowest since he took office in May 2022. This marks a decline of three percentage points from the previous week, and negative assessments of his performance have reached an all-time high of 70 percent, up three percentage points.
Notably, the disapproval rating among individuals aged over 70 — who are generally conservative and have been a core part of Yoon's support base — has risen to around 50 percent.
Political commentator Park Sang-byeong viewed that while securing the nuclear power plant deal during his trip to Prague might provide a temporary boost to Yoon's ratings, it is unlikely to fundamentally reverse his declining popularity.
"Unless the president addresses the domestic issues fueling public discontent, his ratings will likely continue to decline for the remainder of his term with no bottom in sight. The public has lost trust in his handling of state affairs following his wife's scandals and the botched response to the doctors' strike," he said.
President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee show their pet dog to children from multicultural backgrounds while filming a Chuseok greeting video message at the presidential office in Seoul, Sept. 8. Courtesy of the presidential office
One major factor behind Yoon's declining popularity is the ongoing standoff between the government and doctors over a medical reform plan introduced in late February. The plan, which seeks to significantly increase medical school quotas, has led to strikes by junior doctors, causing substantial disruptions in medical care.
Adding to the president's troubles are scandals involving first lady Kim Keon Hee. She has faced allegations of accepting a Dior handbag as a gift two years ago, as well as claims of her involvement in Deutsche Motors' stock price manipulation between 2009 and 2012.
In late August, prosecutors acquitted the first lady of violating anti-graft laws, ruling that the acceptance of the handbag was not related to her husband's official duties. This decision has faced criticism from opposition parties, who argue that prosecutors are being overly lenient toward both the first lady and the prosecutor-turned-president.
The first lady's recent public appearances have drawn criticism for being out of touch with the skepticism surrounding her scandals.
On Sept. 10, she visited a police station near Mapo Bridge on World Suicide Prevention Day to encourage officers. Dressed casually in a white shirt and jeans, photos released by the presidential office showed Kim being briefed by officers on the bridge.
First lady Kim Keon Hee visits Mapo Bridge in Seoul on Sept. 10 World Suicide Prevention Day, where she looked around the bridge with police officers. The bridge, known for its association with suicide, sees more than 100 suicide attempts each year. Courtesy of the presidential office
The visit sparked a backlash, especially when an appellate court, two days later, convicted a man surnamed Son of aiding and abetting in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case allegedly involving the first lady. This ruling has reignited political calls for the indictment of the first lady on similar charges.
Kim also appeared in a Chuseok holiday greeting video with her husband and their pet dogs. During the holiday, she visited a facility for children with disabilities.
"The first lady's visit to Mapo Bridge particularly drew public discontent, with many viewing it as being insensitive, particularly in light of the intensifying controversies surrounding her after prosecutors decided to clear her of charges," Park said.
Beyond the first lady's issues, critics say that Yoon's approval ratings are unlikely to recover unless the government swiftly resolves the ongoing standoff with doctors. Although the presidential office, along with the ruling and opposition parties, agreed to form a consultative group to address the matter, little progress has been made as doctors remain steadfast in their positions.
Shin Ji-ho, head of the ruling People Power Party's (PPP) strategic planning team, described Yoon's plunging approval ratings as "a state of emergency" for both the government and the party.
"What we are witnessing right now is the collapse of the president's core support base. The only solution is to swiftly resolve the ongoing medical crisis. To do that, the government must take a more flexible stance in negotiations with the ruling and opposition parties, even if it means making some concessions," Shin said during an interview with cable news channel YTN, Wednesday.