Breakthrough Found by Lee Nak-yeon... Will Approval Ratings Rebound?

Support Messages for Lee Nak-yeon Continue on Party Member Board Amid Forced Passage of Corruption Investigation Office Law Amendment and Three Economic Laws

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Attention is focused on whether the amendment to the High-ranking Public Officials Crime Investigation Office Establishment Act (PCCIO Act) and the forced passage of the Fair Economy 3 Laws (amendments to the Commercial Act, Fair Trade Act, and Financial Group Supervision Act) can become a breakthrough for Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

On the 9th, many posts appeared on the Democratic Party's member bulletin board such as "Thank you, Leader Lee Nak-yeon," "It's refreshing to see this after a long time," and "Lee Jae-myung did not contribute at all to prosecutorial reform or the PCCIO." These reactions came after the Democratic Party pushed forward the submission of the PCCIO Act and Fair Economy 3 Laws to the plenary session despite the agenda adjustment committees being held in the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Political Affairs Committee the previous day. This marks a distinctly changed atmosphere compared to just 2 or 3 weeks ago when posts like "Leader Lee, what are you doing if you’re not doing the PCCIO?" and "Resign" were common.

Leader Lee had been running as a presidential candidate for over two years, but since becoming party leader last September, concerns within the party have been continuously raised. The launch of the PCCIO was repeatedly delayed, and in various opinion polls, he failed to gain an advantage over Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung from the same party and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, who was spotlighted as an opposition candidate. Recently, his approval ratings even declined in Honam, a strong support base for Lee Jae-myung. Additionally, a major setback occurred when a close aide under investigation by prosecutors over allegations that the rental fee for the election office copier was supported by Optimus Asset Management died. Within the party, a "third candidate theory" emerged, centered around the Democracy 4.0 Research Institute, which is composed of pro-Moon Jae-in ("Chinmoon") lawmakers.

A Democratic Party lawmaker said, "Considering that approval ratings are even falling in Honam, it is clear that Leader Lee is facing a crisis," adding, "Leader Lee must have decided not to hesitate any longer." Known as "Strict Nak-yeon" for his cautious stance on various issues, Lee recently issued a series of strong messages in leadership meetings regarding the PCCIO and the Fair Economy 3 Laws, stating that they "must be passed on the 9th." He also sparked controversy with a tough remark calling for a "state audit" during the suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon’s duties. On the 1st, in a letter to party members, he acknowledged, "I understand your growing concerns about prosecutorial reform," and promised, "The amendment to the PCCIO Act will be finalized within the regular session of the National Assembly, starting with the Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s review."

However, even if approval ratings rise immediately, the backlash from this forced passage is a burden. The People Power Party criticizes the passage through the agenda adjustment committee’s quorum (two-thirds) as "hasty processing." In the business community, there are considerable concerns about the impact of the Fair Economy 3 Laws amid the economic crisis caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Among Lee’s 15 legislative tasks, attention is also focused on the handling of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, the Living Logistics Service Development Act, the 4.3 Special Act, and the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act, which did not make it to the plenary session this time. Lee Jae-myung, a fellow presidential contender from the same party, posted on his Facebook the day before, saying, "Forty years ago, as a young factory worker, Lee Jae-myung’s arm was bent by a press machine, and his sense of smell was paralyzed by inhaling explosives and chemicals, but he survived without dying," and added, "This is the last chance. As a member of the Democratic Party, I sincerely hope the Serious Accidents Punishment Act passes."

Meanwhile, in political circles, the recent decline in the Democratic Party’s approval ratings is also analyzed as a result of the "Chu-Yoon conflict," which is seen as a precondition to be resolved. A Democratic Party lawmaker said, "The recent drop in the Democratic Party’s approval ratings is because the public is tired of the Chu-Yoon conflict," adding, "Considering that Leader Lee’s term ends in March and the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections are in April, the conflict should be resolved by January, including the joint resignation of Minister Chu and Prosecutor General Yoon."

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