[Report] Listening to Public Sentiment on Chuseok Return Journey: "Disappointed More Than Expecting from Yoon Government," "Ruling and Opposition Must Cooperate"

Chuseok Holiday D-1, 12 Citizens Interviewed on Return Trip
Criticism of Yoon Administration's Personnel Failures and Communication Issues
Conflict Between Ruling and Opposition Parties Raises Concerns Over Lack of Cooperation

On the 8th, two days before Chuseok, the nation's biggest holiday, travelers are moving to board trains at Seoul Station. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Editor's Note[Asia Economy Reporters Park Jun-yi and Kwon Hyun-ji] The political sphere is on high alert during the four-day Chuseok holiday. The holiday, when entire families gather, serves as an opportunity to gauge public sentiment. This is also why senior officials from each party cannot neglect their hometown greetings. The public sentiment confirmed by Asia Economy on the 8th, a day before the holiday, at Seoul Station and the Express Bus Terminal clearly revealed disappointment toward the political sphere. They unanimously pointed out President Yoon Seok-yeol's personnel communication and the disappearance of bipartisan cooperation as the biggest issues.

President's Personnel Failures "Disappointment"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At 7 a.m. that day, Seoul Station and the Express Bus Terminal were already bustling with travelers heading to their hometowns. When Asia Economy asked citizens met that day to evaluate the government and political sphere, most respondents expressed critical opinions of the current administration. The president’s personnel failures and communication problems were representative issues.

Lee Kyung-joo (56, male), who was waiting for the train to Mokpo at Seoul Station, said, "Seeing the personnel issues and the president’s communication problems, I am more disappointed than I expected," adding, "I think the approval rating inevitably comes out low." University student Kang Min-joo (21, female) also pointed out personnel issues, saying, "Perhaps because he is from the prosecution, only people from the prosecution side were appointed as ministers and other positions, which caused bad outcomes," and added, "This is why the main support base turned their backs." Hwang Jin-sung (40, female) said, "I have no particular expectations as when I voted for President Yoon," and "I don’t think the current government is doing well."

Jeong Hyun-ji (67, male) from Hongseong, Chungnam, whom we met at the Express Bus Terminal, also expressed concerns about the Yoon administration, saying, "I have some expectations, but looking at what has been done so far, I don’t know which direction the economy will go because no principles have been presented," and expressed worry. University student Jeong (19, female) also pointed out, "The exchange rate has risen a lot and the economic situation is difficult, but the government looks unstable, so it is hard to reassure the public. I don’t particularly expect much going forward."

However, some opinions suggested it is still too early to evaluate the government since it has only been 121 days since its launch. Cheon (34, male), who runs a private business, said, "Since the cabinet is being newly formed, I think we should wait," adding, "It can’t be said that they have done well so far, but I believe things will naturally improve once external issues like the Ukraine war are resolved." Kim Ji-young (47, female) also said, "I think it takes at least 10 years to evaluate a regime," adding, "It has been less than a year since they took office, so it is too early to judge whether they are doing well or not." Han (53, male), who works as an academy instructor, said, "In past administrations, economic stability and resolution of uncertainties tended to lead to stabilization," adding, "Once economic issues like stocks, housing prices, and Bitcoin are settled, approval ratings could rise."

Bipartisan Politics "Disappearance of Cooperation"

Lee Jae-myung, the newly appointed leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is having a cordial conversation with Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, at the National Assembly on the 31st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Along with this, there was also great disappointment toward the political sphere, which has fallen into chaos due to confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties. It was diagnosed that cooperation at the National Assembly level is not taking place amid conflicts during the formation of leadership in each party. Kim (33, male), a self-employed person met at Seoul Station, criticized, "The biggest problem now is that the political sphere is not harmonizing." Lee Kyung-joo also said, "It seems like the ruling and opposition parties are each living to their own rhythm," adding, "It is regrettable that the ruling party and the opposition party are each moving centered on themselves. Cooperation seems necessary."

Many opinions pointed out the chaotic situations in both ruling and opposition parties. University student Jeong Young-tae (24, male) criticized the People Power Party, saying, "Even though it is the ruling party, it is very different from the early stages of past ruling parties," and added, "No matter how much it is a presidential system, the government is not operating centered on the legislature." Cheon also said, "The chaotic situation of the People Power Party’s Emergency Committee does not look good," and added, "It needs to be resolved quickly."

Regarding the Democratic Party of Korea, Han (54, male) said, "If you lost the presidential election, you should show reflection or take responsibility, but they are only looking for ways to escape and just pointing out the other party’s faults," and Kang Min-joo also evaluated, "It is concerning that Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, is heavily involved in judicial issues."

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