[The Editors' Verdict]Yoon Lowers His Stance, Time to Pursue Bipartisan Cooperation

President Yoon's Shift in Governance:
From By-Election Reflection
to 'Numberless' Reform Plans and
Calls for Cooperation with Lee Jae-myung

Will President Yoon Suk-yeol's approach to state governance change? Most political commentators shook their heads immediately after the ruling People Power Party lost the by-election for the mayor of Gangseo District, Seoul. Given President Yoon's style of governance so far, it was expected that there would be no easy change. Half of that was right, and half was wrong.

President Yoon's approach to governance has indeed changed. Six days after the by-election, he mentioned 'reflection' and has been emphasizing 'communication' and 'livelihood' as key themes day after day. There has also been an unexpected shift in the state policy direction. One week after the by-election, at a strategic meeting on essential medical care, President Yoon spoke about the need to expand medical personnel but did not specify the exact scale of medical school quota increases. He indicated that the decision would be made after demand surveys at each medical school, signaling a pace adjustment.

The government's recently released comprehensive National Pension operation plan follows a similar pattern. The government's pension reform plan, approved at the Cabinet meeting on the 30th, excluded the most sensitive issues of premium rate increases and income replacement rates, only including the direction to 'differentially increase' premium rates by age group. It is expected that the revised plan for the 52-hour workweek reform, to be released next month, will also omit specific numbers. This labor reform plan was redrafted after public backlash against the government's earlier proposal allowing up to 69 working hours per week announced earlier this year.

In his first National Assembly policy speech after taking office in May last year, President Yoon presented three major reforms?'pension, labor, and education'?as core national tasks. At that time, he said, "If we do not proceed now, the sustainability of our society will be threatened, making this an unavoidable task." Nevertheless, after confirming the cold public sentiment through the by-election held six months before next year's general election, he appears to have taken a more modest stance.

What is regrettable is that this shift in tone is not observed where it is most needed. President Yoon was invited to the Itaewon tragedy citizen memorial rally held at Seoul Plaza on the 29th but did not attend, citing the strong 'political rally' nature due to the full participation of opposition politicians. His stance of opposing Yeouido politics remains unchanged. Instead, President Yoon attended a memorial service held at Yeongam Church in Seongbuk District, Seoul, where he spent separate time mourning with the families of the Itaewon tragedy victims. Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min also joined him.

Within the People Power Party, Representative Kim Gi-hyeon and Floor Leader Yoon Jae-ok were with President Yoon, while Innovation Committee Chair In Yo-han, Secretary-General Lee Man-hee, and Policy Committee Chair Yoo Ui-dong attended the citizen memorial rally in a 'personal capacity.' High-ranking ruling party officials scattered under the Seoul sky to pay their respects separately. This resembles the ruling party's disarray following the by-election defeat. To appease the angry metropolitan voters, the ruling party has launched party reform led by Innovation Committee Chair In Yo-han, but internal conflict has intensified over In's proposal that veteran Yeongnam politicians run in difficult constituencies.

Moreover, the government's 'numberless' reform plans are likely to stall until after next year's general election. Neither the ruling nor opposition parties are willing to actively pursue sensitive reforms that could cost votes. On the 31st, before his policy speech at the National Assembly, President Yoon met with Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, in a preliminary discussion. President Yoon should use this meeting as a starting point to begin cooperation with the opposition.

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