Yoon Seok-yeol Aiming for Approval Rating Rebound, Heads to Gwangju on Constitution Day

Region with the Lowest Support Rate for Yoon in Jeonbuk
Meeting with Bereaved Families Visiting the May 18 Democratic Cemetery

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol will visit Gwangju on the 17th to commemorate Constitution Day. His schedule includes paying respects at the May 18 Democratic Cemetery and meeting with bereaved families. Yoon's support is highest in the Chungcheong and Daegu-Gyeongbuk regions and lowest in the Gwangju-Jeolla region. This visit is also interpreted as an effort to reverse his recently somewhat declining approval ratings.

A spokesperson for Yoon's campaign said on the 16th, "The Gwangju May 18 Democratic Movement was an important moment that embodied the constitutional spirit of liberal democracy," adding, "We decided to visit Gwangju, a symbol of the democratization spirit, on Constitution Day, which commemorates the establishment of the constitution."

According to a public opinion poll conducted by Asia Economy through Win-G Korea Consulting from the 10th to 11th, surveying 1,011 voters aged 18 and over nationwide (100% mobile phone virtual numbers, automated response) (sampling error 95%, confidence level ±3.1 percentage points), Yoon's support rate in the Gwangju-Jeolla region was 12.0%, the lowest among all regions in the next presidential candidate preference. This is significantly behind Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung (29.0%) and former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon (22.6%).

Meanwhile, regarding the allegations of witness tampering by the investigation team in the former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook case, which was revealed through a joint inspection by the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, former Prosecutor General Yoon responded firmly, saying, "If you feel wronged, apply for a retrial." On the late night of the 15th, he posted on his Facebook, "Is it normal to recklessly destroy the judicial system like this for just one person, Han Myeong-sook?" Yoon also stated, "A privileged class existing above the law is emerging in South Korea right now. We must unite our strength to stop the extension of this regime and overwhelmingly replace the government."