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Yoon Suk Yeol’s Approval Ratings Plummet Amid Controversies Surrounding First Lady


SEOUL: President Yoon Suk Yeol’s approval ratings have sunk to a new low, raising concerns about his administration’s ability to effectively govern amid ongoing controversies. According to Yonhap News Agency, a survey conducted by Gallup Korea indicates that Yoon’s approval rating has dropped to 20 percent, the lowest since he assumed office in May 2022, with negative assessments reaching an all-time high of 70 percent.

According to Yonhap News Agency , The survey, which was carried out with 1,001 adults between Tuesday and Thursday and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, highlights growing public dissatisfaction with Yoon’s handling of both personal and domestic issues. The decline in Yoon’s popularity has been persistent, with his ratings largely remaining in negative territory since September.

The factors contributing to Yoon’s declining approval ratings include concerns about his wife, Kim Keon Hee, and her alleged influence-peddling. In the Gallup Korea survey, 15 percent of r
espondents cited issues related to the first lady as a key reason for their negative assessment. Economic concerns, such as the cost of living and consumer prices, were cited by 14 percent of respondents, while 12 percent pointed to a lack of communication from the president.

The controversies surrounding the first lady include allegations of involvement in a stock manipulation scheme, receiving a luxury bag unlawfully, and interference in candidate nominations for the ruling People Power Party’s general elections. A separate survey by NBS revealed that about 70 percent of respondents believe Kim should cease public appearances. Even among supporters of the ruling party and residents of conservative regions like Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, there is significant agreement on this matter.

Despite acknowledging public sentiment, President Yoon has struggled to address these issues effectively. Although he stated that his wife would limit her public activities, she appeared at a public event shortly aft
erward. Beyond the first lady’s controversies, Yoon faces challenges including North Korea’s military cooperation with Russia, the upcoming U.S. election, and a bleak economic outlook.

The president’s declining approval ratings pose a significant challenge to his ability to implement key national agendas. As his popularity wanes, the necessity for President Yoon to address these issues becomes increasingly urgent.