Ahn Cheol-soo Targets Moon Administration: "Populism Won't Work"... People's Party Support Rises (Comprehensive)

Rising Approval Ratings Among 20s, 30s, and Centrist Groups

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, saw a rebound in party approval ratings due to his medical volunteer work for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). After returning to Korea last January, Ahn had not shown much presence, but during the COVID-19 crisis, he chose to go to Daegu as a doctor rather than a politician, creating a considerable impact. In particular, the rise in approval ratings was notable among people in their 20s and 30s, centrists, and students.

According to a survey conducted by Realmeter on behalf of YTN from the 2nd to the 6th, targeting 2,527 voters aged 18 and over nationwide (response rate 5.3%, margin of error ±1.9 percentage points at a 95% confidence level), the People’s Party’s approval rating rose by 3.0 percentage points from the previous week to 4.7%. Specifically, approval among those in their 20s increased from 2.1% to 6.9%, and among those in their 30s from 0.5% to 8.1%. Among centrists (2.6%→7.1%) and students (1.2%→5.4%), approval also rose by 4.5 and 4.2 percentage points, respectively. For more details, refer to the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission website.

At the highest committee meeting held via video conference that day, Ahn said, “While volunteering at Dongnam Hospital in Daegu, I gained confidence that we can definitely overcome this national crisis. Many people from all over the country are risking their lives and fighting on the front lines.” He added, “I sincerely hope and wish that this process of overcoming the national crisis will become an opportunity for national unity that binds a divided society as one.”

Targeting the Moon Jae-in administration, Ahn criticized, “As confirmed in the responses of various countries to COVID-19, the gap in national capabilities will become clear every time a situation arises. The social chaos, costs, and number of casualties a country must bear will be determined by the nation’s capabilities.” He continued, “A nation’s capabilities are reflected in the capabilities of its administration. The era when shallow governance relying on populism and image politics to get by momentarily is no longer effective has arrived.”

Ahn said, “We all need to deeply consider what a capable administration, capable politics, and a capable nation truly mean,” and added, “I want to ask whether, even at this moment, the country really needs to be divided and fighting, and whether those in power and those trying to take that power have ever responsibly reflected even once on the responsibilities and roles of the nation.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.