South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s approval rating has fallen to a record low of 20%, according to the latest poll. survey by Gallup Korea, marking the lowest point since he took office in May 2022. This decline reflects growing public discontent with his management, with 70% having negative opinions. In terms of parties, the ruling People Power Party registers 28% support, while the main opposition party, the Democratic Party, reaches 33%.
Yoon’s steadily declining approval ratings, which have been below 30 percent for three consecutive weeks, are a cause for concern for his administration. Political analysts attribute the drop to weakening support from his conservative base, which has been a key pillar of his political strength but now appears to be fracturing due to economic problems and Yoon’s reform agenda. The poll, conducted Sept. 10-12, surveyed 1,002 adults and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.
The impact of this decline in Yoon’s approval rating is wide-ranging, especially as he tries to push ahead with his domestic policy goals. One of his core projects, pension reform, is now under increased scrutiny. Yoon’s plan proposes raising pension premiums at different rates across generations, with the aim of ensuring long-term sustainability. However, with his conservative base weakening and public discontent over his handling of the economy on the rise, passing such reforms becomes increasingly complicated.
Moreover, Yoon’s options for regaining public support are limited. He has been critical of populist policies, such as the Democratic Party’s previous efforts to introduce cash vouchers. Yoon is therefore unlikely to adopt similar measures in the short term, opting instead for structural economic reforms. His administration has focused its efforts on offering more support to small businesses and pushing deregulation policies. However, these initiatives have yet to improve his approval ratings, and the prospects for a change in his political standing remain bleak.
Yoon’s record-low disapproval rating complicates his ability to govern effectively and implement crucial policy changes. His ability to unite both the public and the legislature around his reform agenda, especially on controversial issues such as pensions, now faces serious obstacles.
Add Comment