Yoon Seok-yeol to Visit Gwangju Next Week... Last Chance for Approval Rating Rebound

Support Rate Drops Amid Controversy Over 'Jeon Du-hwan Defense, Dog Apology'
Gwangju Apology Visit... Boon or Bane?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The upcoming visit of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol to Gwangju next week is expected to act as a decisive factor in the trajectory of his approval ratings. With the final decision on the People Power Party’s presidential candidate just a week away, this may be his last chance to recover from the recent decline in support. However, whether his trip to Gwangju for an ‘apology’ will help or harm his approval ratings remains to be seen.

A representative from Yoon’s campaign said in a phone interview on the 29th, "After the final debate on the 31st, he plans to visit Gwangju early next week," adding, "The exact date and schedule are still under discussion." They also stated, "We are carefully considering the timing and method to avoid any actions that could cause misunderstandings. It seems he will express his apology with as much sincerity as possible."

Former Prosecutor General Yoon’s approval ratings have recently declined due to his ‘remarks defending former President Jeon Du-hwan’ and the ‘dog apology controversy,’ allowing his competitor, Representative Hong Joon-pyo, to close the gap. In response, on the 24th, Yoon himself expressed his intention to visit Gwangju to manage the situation. Ha Tae-kyung, a People Power Party lawmaker affiliated with the campaign, said on the previous day’s CBS Radio program "Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show" that when asked if Yoon might face an egg-throwing protest in Gwangju, "He must be prepared to endure everything," signaling a direct confrontation.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, it is unclear how the citizens of Gwangju will receive Yoon’s visit. Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju, who appeared on KBS Radio’s "Choi Kyung-young’s Strong Current Affairs" on the same day, said, "I sincerely hope he does not come to Gwangju. Yoon must first clarify his proper historical perspective and understanding of history." There is also a possibility that Yoon could face so-called ‘humiliations’ such as egg-throwing in Gwangju. If this happens, it could ironically serve to rally his existing conservative support base.

Mayor Lee already holds the view that Yoon is employing this political strategy. He said, "Announcing a visit to Gwangju ahead of the party primary is clearly a calculated move," adding, "It is a political intention to show himself as being oppressed in Gwangju to consolidate the conservative camp."

On the other hand, if Yoon makes another political gaffe during his turbulent visit to Gwangju, he could find himself in an irreparable situation. Representative Hong, whose approval ratings surged rapidly but have recently plateaued, is now betting on whether Yoon can consolidate his support base or commit further missteps.