"Who Should We Choose?" From Unpopular Presidential Election Controversy to Calls for Candidate Replacement

Lee, Image Damage from Daejang-dong, Anti-Feminism, and Family Risks
Yoon, Repeated Gaffes, Spouse Risks, and Leadership Controversies
Negative Public Opinion on Two Leading Candidates Sparks Calls for Replacement... Third-Party Support Gains Momentum

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party presidential candidate (left), and Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate (right)
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] "I really don't know who to choose between Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung."

With less than 100 days left until the presidential election, criticism continues that it is a so-called unfavorable election as the ruling and opposition candidates are embroiled in various allegations. Some even point out that they have withdrawn their support or have no candidate they want to recommend to those around them. One poll even suggested that the candidates should be replaced altogether.

More than half of the voters surveyed believe that the major party candidates need to be replaced in this presidential election. According to a Hangil Research poll released on the 29th of last month, which surveyed 1,000 men and women aged 18 and over nationwide from the 25th to the 27th, 56.6% of respondents said a candidate replacement was necessary. Among them, 38.2% answered that it was "very necessary."

As a result, some analyses suggest that the presidential candidates failed to gain trust from their supporters as they became targets of prosecution investigations. Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate, stood at the center of the preferential treatment allegations related to the Daejang-dong development project and faced concentrated attacks from the opposition.

Family risks are also dragging down Lee's approval ratings. It was revealed that in 2006, he defended his nephew A, the perpetrator of the "Gangdong-gu murder case," claiming "diminished impulse control and mental incapacity." Recently, controversy arose when it was revealed that Lee's son B was involved in illegal gambling.

Furthermore, Lee's "anti-feminism" stance has drawn criticism from women. Last month, he shared a post on his Facebook from an online community calling to "stop the madness of feminism," recommending, "Please read it together once." On the 29th of last month, he also reversed his decision to appear on the YouTube channel "Cereal," which mainly covers issues related to women, youth, and the environment.

Consequently, criticism poured in accusing him of exploiting misogynistic sentiments to target male voters. Justice Party lawmaker Jang Hye-young posted on her Facebook on the 29th of last month, criticizing, "There should be limits to being swayed by anti-feminist agitation."

Candidate Yoon Seok-yeol has repeatedly been embroiled in controversies due to a series of gaffes. In July, during an interview with Maeil Business Newspaper, he caused controversy by mentioning "120 hours of work per week" while criticizing the 52-hour workweek system. In October, during a visit to Busan, he referred to former President Chun Doo-hwan, saying, "Except for the military coup and the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, there are parts he did wrong, but many say he did well politically. People in Honam also say such things," drawing criticism from the Honam region and political circles.

On the 22nd, during a visit to Jeonju, Jeonbuk, Yoon said, "People living in extreme poverty and those uneducated do not know what freedom is, nor do they feel the need for it," which was criticized as belittling people with low income and education levels.

Additionally, repeated conflicts with party leader Lee Jun-seok have caused fatigue among supporters. Allegations of plagiarism and false credentials involving his spouse Kim Geon-hee have also become obstacles to his approval ratings.

There are also calls to hold Yoon accountable for his past role in investigating former President Park Geun-hye. On the 27th of last month, Our Republican Party leader Cho Won-jin said on TBS Radio's "Kim Eo-jun's News Factory," "If the president's illness is revealed, Yoon is responsible. First, he demanded a 45-year sentence, and second, he refused parole twice. At that time, the president's health was very poor. I think changing the player is the answer," emphasizing the need for a candidate change.

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, are greeting citizens wearing couple hoodies on the afternoon of the 4th at Jeolm-eum Street in Seomyeon, Busan.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, Lee Jun-seok drew a line on the possibility of candidate replacement. In an interview with MBN News on the 28th of last month, he said, "Some voters disappointed with our candidate mention candidate replacement. I receive many messages, but physically, candidate replacement is impossible." The final registration date for presidential candidates is February 13 and 14 next year, less than two months away.

Experts analyze that the candidate replacement theory arises due to various risks surrounding the two leading candidates. Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "(Some voters) see both candidates as unsuitable and unqualified," adding, "However, the issue would be whether the candidates would accept a replacement."

Regarding the analysis that the third-party support is gaining momentum, he said, "It seems that some moderate voters who withdrew support from candidate Yoon have shifted to Ahn Cheol-soo of the People's Party."

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