South Korean Political Landscape: Challenges and Strategies

South Korean News: Analysis of Current Political Landscape

As South Korea’s political landscape faces ongoing challenges, analysts are closely examining the potential impact of various factors on the country’s political parties and their support among the public.

1. Return of Lee Jae-myung and its Impact on Democratic Party’s Support

Lee Jae-myung, the representative of the Democratic Party, is currently deliberating his return to political activities after a temporary halt due to an assault incident. As he recovers at his residence, the timing of his comeback remains uncertain. Party officials have yet to decide on his return to party duties. Lee Jae-myung’s lawyer, who is handling his case regarding allegations of special favors in a development project, has stated that attending the trial in the near future may be challenging.

2. Democratic Party’s Support and Challenges to Overcome

The Democratic Party is currently facing the challenge of overcoming stagnant support and addressing internal divisions. According to a recent survey by Korea Gallup, the party’s approval rating stands at 34%, while the approval rating for the main opposition party, the People Power Party, is at 36%. The survey also revealed that 51% of respondents believed that the opposition party should win a majority in the upcoming general election, compared to 35% who preferred the ruling party to secure a majority. Despite the Democratic Party’s efforts to counterbalance the government’s power, it has not translated into a significant increase in support. Korea Gallup emphasized the need to consider not only the Democratic Party but also other emerging parties in the opposition camp.

3. Caution Regarding Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Law

Internal discussions within the Democratic Party caution against relying solely on the “Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Law” as a means to gain public support. Despite President Yoon Seok-yeol exercising his right to demand a reevaluation of the law, the approval rating for the ruling party remains similar to that of the Democratic Party. The possibility exists that the decision of Kim Geon-hee, the First Lady, not to make a public appearance, coupled with the announcement of plans for the installation of a second auxiliary office by the Presidential Office, may have prevented a further decline in the ruling party’s support.

4. Monitoring the Impact of Han Dong-hoon’s Convention

Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Planning Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is closely trailing Lee Jae-myung. According to the Korea Gallup survey, Lee Jae-myung’s approval rating stands at 23%, while Han Dong-hoon’s approval rating is at 22%. Following the assault incident, Lee Jae-myung’s approval rating increased by 4 percentage points, while Han Dong-hoon’s approval rating increased by 6 percentage points. Despite the Democratic Party’s criticism of Han Dong-hoon as a “Yoon Seok-yeol avatar” or a “Kim Geon-hee bodyguard,” it has not significantly impacted his approval rating.

5. Internal Factors Affecting Democratic Party’s Support

Internal factors, such as controversies surrounding the selection of candidates for the general election, are also hindering the Democratic Party’s increase in support. Several individuals, including Lee Jae-myung and lawmakers Noh Woong-rae, Hwang Un-ha, and Jeong Bong-ju, who have faced prosecution or controversies, have passed the party’s preliminary candidate verification process. Lawmaker Noh Woong-rae has been indicted on charges of corruption, while lawmaker Hwang Un-ha has lost her parliamentary seat due to allegations of interference in the Ulsan mayoral election. Former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju received an unfavorable ruling on his candidacy due to sexual harassment allegations during the previous general election. Controversies have also arisen regarding the candidacy of politicians affiliated with Lee Jae-myung’s faction running against those from other factions within the party. Additionally, the formation of a new party by former party leader Lee Nak-yeon and members of the “Principles and Common Sense” faction poses further challenges for the Democratic Party.

6. Election Strategy for the Democratic Party

Um Kyung-young, the director of the Era of Spirit Research Institute, emphasized the difficulty for the Democratic Party to secure a majority in the general election based on surveys conducted in the capital region. He suggested that the party needs to minimize the influence of Lee Jae-myung’s image, reduce controversies surrounding candidate selection, overcome the crisis of trust, refrain from solely focusing on the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Law, and develop a positive election strategy to suppress Han Dong-hoon’s Emergency Planning Committee.

7. Conclusion

As South Korea’s political landscape continues to evolve, analysts stress the importance of addressing internal challenges, implementing effective election strategies, and adapting to the rapidly changing dynamics to secure public support. The upcoming general election will test the ability of political parties to navigate these complexities and shape the future of South Korean politics.