Korea's single-term presidency prompts political observers and the public to consider the remaining time for President Yoon Suk Yeol's tenure. With the administration having taken office in 2022, it will reach the halfway point of its five-year term this November. Historical precedents indicate that, without robust support for the ruling administration, governing becomes progressively more challenging.
Given this timeline, the low approval ratings for Yoon and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) should not be overlooked. In a Realmeter survey conducted from Sept. 23 to Sept. 27, the results announced on Monday revealed that public approval for Yoon has dropped to 25.8 percent. The survey was commissioned by a Korean news outlet. More disconcerting is that the PPP's approval rating went under the 30-percent level for the first time since Yoon's inauguration in 2022, standing at just 29.9 percent.
A preceding Gallup Korea poll (Sept. 10-12) had the president's approval rating at 20 percent.
The low support is attributed to several factors, including growing dissatisfaction with the government's failure to make any meaningful progress -- even engage in discussions -- on urgent issues like the medical crisis. Those hoping for solutions to address the medical gridlock during last week's presidential dinner with PPP members were left sorely disappointed. Instead, the news from the dinner highlighted Yoon's decision to forgo the opportunity for a one-on-one meeting with PPP leader Han Dong-hoon. Han was also notably absent from Wednesday's presidential dinner. The apparent rift between the two is becoming more pronounced, hindering efforts to build consensus on how to address pressing issues like the medical crisis. It also hampers effective politicking and bipartisan discussions, negotiations, and compromises in the National Assembly, which is already a challenging environment for the ruling party due to the opposition's dominance.
In the Assembly, the ongoing cycle of presidential vetoes and the repeated submission of special probe bills is becoming overwhelming. On Wednesday, the president vetoed three bills, including two special counsel bills, bringing the total number of vetoed bills to 24. One bill pertains to the death of a Marine during last year's flood relief efforts, while the other involves allegations of corruption against the first lady regarding the alleged manipulation of Deutsch Motors stock price, the acceptance of a luxury bag, and the exertion of influence in party nominations for the April general elections. The third bill outlines changes regarding the issuance of local currency vouchers.
This cycle of contentious bills and presidential vetoes is without precedent. The political calculation from the main opposition may well be to defuse the judicial challenges being faced by DPK leader Lee Jae-myung. Nevertheless, public sentiment, evident in the support ratings, should be taken more seriously. The continued fall in approval for the president translates into a loss of support for the PPP, particularly among conservatives aged 60 and over who live in the southeastern part of the country. The president should be aware that voters can carry a party and its candidate to office, but they also judge them once in power.
The president should reconsider his rigid stance on appointments and political messaging, showing a readiness to engage in dialogue to advance his four reform goals. Within the ruling party, there must be room for free expression and open discussion. Sensitive issues require careful handling, rather than one-sided communication. A poll from the fourth week of September, conducted by the National Barometer Survey, found that about 65 percent of respondents supported a special investigation into the first lady. There are also calls for the first lady to issue an apology. Additionally, the president should restore the office dedicated to managing the first lady's affairs, as he promised earlier this year.
The upcoming by-elections for local government offices on Oct. 16 present a key opportunity for the ruling party to reconnect with its core voters, especially as public sentiment grows increasingly weary of the president, the first lady, and the party itself.