Approval Rating in the 30% Range and Yoon Faction's Check...Red Light for the 'Kwon Seong-dong Regime'

Yoon Followed by Ruling Party Approval Rating Dropping to the '30% Range'
"A Result of Lack of Virtue" Apology Amid Rising Controversies Over Private Hiring and Internal Conflicts
Less Than Ten Days into the Interim Leadership System, 'Early Party Convention' Rumors Emerge

Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Party Leader of the People Power Party, is observing a moment of silence at the members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Yunjin Kim] Amid a crisis of plummeting approval ratings for the ruling party, the leadership of Kwon Seong-dong, acting leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, is also being shaken. Criticism has been raised that Acting Leader Kwon has failed to adequately respond to the party's internal strife and controversies over personnel fairness.

Recent public opinion polls show a downward trend in support for the People Power Party. According to a survey conducted by Gallup Korea from the 12th to the 14th among 1,003 adults nationwide aged 18 and over, the party's support rate was 38%, falling below 40% for the first time since the current government took office. In another survey conducted by the Korea Society Opinion Institute on the 15th and 16th, commissioned by TBS and targeting 1,000 adults nationwide aged 18 and over, the party's support rate dropped 4.1 percentage points from the previous week to 34.5% (for detailed information on the cited surveys, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website).

Factors contributing to the People Power Party's "wingless fall" include ongoing internal conflicts and allegations of private recruitment even after the disciplinary action against Representative Lee Jun-seok. Especially as voices point to Acting Leader Kwon being at the center of the controversy, concerns are mounting over the 'one-top' system entering its ninth day.

Acting Leader Kwon's inappropriate response to allegations of private recruitment in the presidential office has ignited debates over fairness. Recently, it was revealed that the son of Woo, the head of a telecommunications equipment company in Gangneung and an acquaintance of President Yoon Seok-yeol, is working in the Presidential Office's Civil Society Secretariat, raising suspicions of preferential hiring. Acting Leader Kwon stated on the 15th that he recommended the individual and explained, "It’s not a high position; he entered as a level 9 administrative staff, so what’s the big deal?" This explanation sparked criticism.

In this situation, even internal conflicts among 'Yunhakkwan (key figures close to President Yoon Seok-yeol)' surfaced. Among Yunhakkwan, Representative Jang Je-won, regarded as a key figure and influential within the party, posted on his Facebook on the 18th, "Acting Leader Kwon, your words are very harsh," rebutting and criticizing Kwon's claims.

After the suspension of Representative Lee's party membership on the 8th, rumors of conflict between Acting Leader Kwon and Representative Jang over whether to hold an early party convention had emerged. The two lawmakers appeared to have resolved the controversy during a private luncheon meeting on the 15th, but three days later, they publicly confronted each other. In response, the party's most senior lawmaker (five-term) Jeong Woo-taek criticized on BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal' on the 19th, saying, "It is undesirable that conflicts between two representatives of Yunhakkwan stand out amid difficult times for both the people’s livelihood and the party."

As the controversy continued, Acting Leader Kwon bowed his head and apologized on the 20th via his Facebook, saying, "I apologize if I have hurt the youth." However, he maintained that "the hiring of special staff in the secretariat of elected officials is fundamentally different from general public servant recruitment," asserting that there was no problem with the hiring process, which led to criticism regarding the sincerity of his apology. Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon told this outlet in a phone interview, "We need to reflect on (Acting Leader Kwon’s) attitude of not admitting mistakes. From the public’s perspective, his seeming disregard for public sentiment and provocative behavior make people think, 'Are you trying to pick a fight now?'"

Along with assessments that Acting Leader Kwon’s 'one-top' system is faltering, calls for an 'early party convention' continue to be raised. Representative Kim Ki-hyun, mentioned as a potential next party leader, said in an interview on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' on the 19th that while he acknowledges the current system complies with party rules, "With both the president’s and the party’s approval ratings falling, there is a need for a sense of crisis about whether it is appropriate to proceed smoothly with the interim system," emphasizing the necessity of an early party convention. Representative Jeong also left the possibility open, saying, "Depending on whether Representative Lee is indicted, discussions about a new party convention could arise."

Seemingly aware of the worsening public opinion, Acting Leader Kwon lowered his stance at a parliamentary meeting held on the 20th, saying, "Both the party and the government’s approval ratings are declining, and voices expressing concern and criticism over various controversies are increasing. It is all due to my shortcomings." The commentator evaluated, "It will be difficult to immediately remove Acting Leader Kwon given the short time since Representative Lee’s disciplinary action, but the biggest risk for the ruling party currently is Acting Leader Kwon. He needs to acknowledge responsibility for the party’s turmoil following Representative Lee’s disciplinary action and exercise restraint."

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