[The Editors' Verdict] Mr. President, This Life Is Ruined

Separate Collection of TV License Fees and Next Year's Budget
Pushing Forward Regardless of Falling Approval Ratings
Accelerate Reforms in National Pension and Healthcare

"Mr. President, this life is ruined."

This is what I want to say if I ever meet the president. It’s not about personal life stories. President Yoon graduated from the country’s top university and top department, served as Prosecutor General, and rose to the pinnacle of Korean power. In a sense, his life is a textbook example of success. The main point I want to make is that "during his presidential term, his approval rating is below average, practically at rock bottom." Looking at the approval ratings one year after inauguration of past presidents, President Yoon Seok-ryeol (35%) ranks 5th out of 7. That is less than half of the top-ranked President Moon Jae-in (78%). It is lower than Presidents Kim Dae-jung (60%), Park Geun-hye (57%), and Kim Young-sam (55%). Although it is higher than Lee Myung-bak (34%) and Roh Moo-hyun (25%), for President Yoon, who has rarely experienced missing first place in life, this is probably not a satisfying result. Moreover, looking deeper, there is almost no chance for a turnaround. The negative rating is 59%, the highest ever. It is common sense that politicians need high approval ratings to wield power. For example, the ruling party is said to need at least a 40% presidential approval rating to win the upcoming general election. It seems unlikely. In summary, "if you only consider approval ratings, this term is ruined."

What’s interesting is that President Yoon is doing things he couldn’t do even with high approval ratings. For example, the separate collection of TV license fees. Many politicians in the past said they would abolish TV license fees or pour sand into newspaper printing presses. Without license fees, public broadcasting cannot survive. Pouring sand into printing presses makes repairs impossible, forcing disposal. These slogans were mainly shouted by opposition politicians. But when in power, their thinking changes. The previously rigid media becomes more pliable. Public opinion affects approval ratings. The media moves public opinion. It was a reasonable inference based on experience that license fees would never be touched. However, defying such expectations, the separate collection of license fees was declared. Something that would not normally happen in common sense occurred.

Another unexpected event happened. Next year’s budget increase rate is 2.8%, the lowest ever. The previous administration increased national debt by 200 trillion won annually. The current national debt is 2,300 trillion won. National debt is money borrowed against the future of children. That money makes current people happy, affecting approval ratings. People who took for granted that the budget would increase significantly every year and their share would grow will turn their backs on the president. Although it falls short of the ideal of balanced finance, the expectation that it would be difficult because of approval ratings was also wrong.

South Korea faces several problems that will inevitably lead to catastrophe if not resolved. Representative issues are medical reform and the national pension. There are no doctors in rural areas. Soon, the whole nation will complain of aching bones due to aging. The medical system will collapse under the weight. More doctors are needed. However, until now, the number of medical school admissions could not be increased due to doctors’ opposition. But this administration, despite its low approval ratings, has started medical reform work.

If left as is, pension depletion cannot be avoided. People must pay more and receive less. Everyone knows this but no one wants to hear it. Still, major surgery is unavoidable. The previous administration, which boasted the highest approval ratings ever, also opened the belly for surgery. But after seeing the condition of the affected area, they quietly closed and stitched it up. However, somehow this president seems likely to cut into the affected area. Besides this, there are mountains of issues that cannot be touched because of stakeholders’ sensitivities. Therefore, the last thing I want to say to the president is, "Since you have nothing to lose, do not hesitate or look around."

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