The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Seoul Metro begins real-time translation service for foreign tourists at Myeong-dong Station

  • 3

    INTERVIEWMirinae Lee's '8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster' offers fresh perspective on Korean history

  • 5

    N. Korean hacker group Andariel steals S. Korean defense secrets

  • 7

    Go Dae-su: Queen Min's giant female bodyguard

  • 9

    Loss of family, sisterhood, language and country

  • 11

    Seoul launches regular nighttime self-driving bus service

  • 13

    Popular talk show 'Strong Heart' returns with new format

  • 15

    President names new finance, land ministers in Cabinet shake-up

  • 17

    Annus horribilis for hedge funds

  • 19

    Camarata Music celebrates Christmas

  • 2

    Young K-pop couple Choi Min-hwan, Yulhee announce divorce

  • 4

    'Single's Inferno' is back with most interesting season, producer says

  • 6

    Korea on alert over another urea shortage crisis

  • 8

    Will Seoul's new transportation services improve convenience for commuters?

  • 10

    Park Sae-eun receives French order of merit

  • 12

    Samsung's sports marketing called into question after Bluewings' relegation

  • 14

    ANALYSISWhy is N. Korea not allowed to launch spy satellites?

  • 16

    Son Heung-min nets 9th goal of season, scores own goal in draw vs. Man City

  • 18

    Debate grows over broadening of state insurance coverage for drug rehabilitation

  • 20

    S. Korea successfully conducts third test flight of solid-fuel space rocket

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Wed, December 6, 2023 | 09:47
Politics
Yoon vows to go back to basics amid low approval ratings
Posted : 2022-08-08 16:29
Updated : 2022-08-08 17:15
Nam Hyun-woo
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
                                                                                                 President Yoon Suk-yeol answers reporters' questions as he arrives at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Monday. It was Yoon's first Q&A session with reporters in 13 days. Yonhap
President Yoon Suk-yeol answers reporters' questions as he arrives at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Monday. It was Yoon's first Q&A session with reporters in 13 days. Yonhap

By Nam Hyun-woo

President Yoon Suk-yeol said he would go back to basics when he returned to work on Monday after a week-long vacation, in an apparent effort to regain public trust in his administration.

"As I looked back at what happened in the past, I came to be grateful to the people who have helped me come this far, with both harsh criticism and heartfelt encouragement," Yoon said while answering reporters' questions upon his arrival at the presidential office.

"During my vacation, I reached the conclusion that as president, I need to be humble, and try to figure out what the public wants and listen carefully to what they say," he said.

Yoon took reporters' questions after a two-week hiatus. After slamming police officers' protests against the government's plan to set up a police bureau under the interior ministry on July 26, Yoon did not take reporters' questions that week and then went on a weeklong vacation all last week.

His comments came as his approval ratings have been on a downward spiral. And while Yoon was on vacation, his approval ratings fell to the abysmal 20-percent range.

According to a Realmeter weekly poll released on Monday, Yoon's job approval rating stood at 29.3 percent, down 3.8 percentage points from a week earlier. The poll surveyed 2,528 adults from Aug. 1 to 5.

A separate poll by Korea Society Opinion Institute, which was also released on Monday, showed that only 27.5 percent showed a positive response to Yoon's work, down 1.4 percentage points from a week earlier. This poll surveyed 1,002 adults from Aug. 5 to 6. Further details of the surveys are available at the websites of the polling agencies and the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.

The ratings appear to reflect public concern over the economy, as inflation is currently at a 24-year high, criticism over his decision not to meet U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her visit to Seoul, and the widespread backlash against his administration's proposal to lower the school entry age for children ― all in the midst of another major COVID-19 surge.

Against this backdrop, calls were growing among both the ruling and opposition blocs that Yoon should consider replacing some of his aides or Cabinet members to improve public perception of his administration.

"The power comes from the people. I will look over all issues again from their perspective and take measures if necessary," Yoon said when asked if he has any intention to reshuffle his aides or ministers.

                                                                                                 President Yoon Suk-yeol answers reporters' questions as he arrives at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Monday. It was Yoon's first Q&A session with reporters in 13 days. Yonhap
President Yoon Suk-yeol enters his office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Monday, where reporters were waiting to ask him questions after a two-week hiatus. Yonhap

So far, multiple aides at the presidential office have said that Yoon will not likely opt for a shakeup in the office or the Cabinet, citing his style of having deep trust for aides he recruited. After the comments, however, speculation mounted that Yoon may replace aides or ministers to seek a breakthrough in the current low-popularity doldrums.

"While President Yoon was relaxing, the country was even noisier than before," said Park Hong-keun, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).

"The top reason for the negative sentiments towards Yoon's work is the personnel issues. The public is sick and tired of these controversies that keep emerging like the peeling of an onion. I once again demand the president to conduct a sweeping renewal of the presidential office and the Cabinet," he said.
Emailnamhw@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
LG group
Top 10 Stories
1Will Seoul's new transportation services improve convenience for commuters? Will Seoul's new transportation services improve convenience for commuters?
2[ANALYSIS] Why is N. Korea not allowed to launch spy satellites?ANALYSISWhy is N. Korea not allowed to launch spy satellites?
3How a regrettable tattoo led to a South African's musical journeyHow a regrettable tattoo led to a South African's musical journey
4[GOING ELECTRIC] The complex decision to buy an electric scooter in Korea GOING ELECTRICThe complex decision to buy an electric scooter in Korea
5[INTERVIEW] Female leadership not just diversity issue, but survival necessity INTERVIEWFemale leadership not just diversity issue, but survival necessity
6Korean gov't slammed for mishandling victims of sex trafficking Korean gov't slammed for mishandling victims of sex trafficking
7Samsung tightens employee discipline amid chip industry downturn Samsung tightens employee discipline amid chip industry downturn
8Hankook Tire mired in sibling feud again Hankook Tire mired in sibling feud again
9Leader of underground anti-Japan organization passes away Leader of underground anti-Japan organization passes away
10Gold price reaches record high; bitcoin surpasses $41,000 Gold price reaches record high; bitcoin surpasses $41,000
Top 5 Entertainment News
1Young K-pop couple Choi Min-hwan, Yulhee announce divorce Young K-pop couple Choi Min-hwan, Yulhee announce divorce
2'Single's Inferno' is back with most interesting season, producer says 'Single's Inferno' is back with most interesting season, producer says
3Reality show ‘Home Alone’ celebrates decade-long runReality show ‘Home Alone’ celebrates decade-long run
4Late K-pop star Moonbin's memorial space shut down after fans complain Late K-pop star Moonbin's memorial space shut down after fans complain
5Popular talk show 'Strong Heart' returns with new format Popular talk show 'Strong Heart' returns with new format
DARKROOM
  • It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

    It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

  • 2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

    2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

  • Appreciation of autumn colors

    Appreciation of autumn colors

  • Our children deserve better

    Our children deserve better

  • Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

    Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel: 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844
Date of registration: 2020.02.05
Masthead: The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group