- Q&A on the way to work after 13 days: "Looking back, the people have nurtured my shortcomings... I am grateful"
- On the possibility of personnel reshuffle: "All national momentum comes from the people" ... Attention to the mention of 'people's perspective'
(Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan) President Yoon Seok-yeol chose 'beginner's mind' as a solution to shake off the adverse events that occurred during his vacation and the plummeting approval rating down to 24%. Returning from his first five-day vacation, President Yoon stated on the 8th, "What I must do for the people is to carefully consider the will of the people," and added, "I will keep my beginner's mind." While leaving the possibility of personnel reshuffles open, President Yoon is expected to focus first on follow-up measures for the livelihood stabilization plan to overcome the economic difficulties.
On the morning of his official return to work after the vacation, when asked by reporters about his feelings on the way to the Yongsan Presidential Office building, President Yoon said, "I also took my first break since starting politics about a year ago." He explained, "It was a time to look back on the past election process, the transition team, and the period after inauguration. Looking back, the people have nurtured my shortcomings. Sometimes with harsh criticism, and other times with warm support and encouragement, I have come to this position thanks to the people, and I feel grateful once again."
The reason President Yoon brought up 'beginner's mind' in his first remarks after returning is due to the continuous adverse events during his vacation. Starting with the text message controversy with Kwon Seong-dong, acting party leader and floor leader, followed by the lowering of the elementary school entrance age to five, allegations of involvement in interests by a certain monk, suspicions related to the construction company of the presidential residence and First Lady Kim Geon-hee, and the visit of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, controversies followed. Since these issues caused the drop in approval ratings, he intends to return to the beginner's mind and review the overall state affairs.
Contrary to the presidential office's low expectations for personnel reshuffles during the vacation, President Yoon responded to questions about the position of Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education Park Soon-ae by saying, "All national momentum comes from the people, doesn't it?" He added, "From the people's perspective, we will review and carefully examine all issues together. I will go up to the office, look into it, and take necessary measures if needed."
Considering the use of the phrase 'people's perspective' amid the disruption in overall state affairs caused by Deputy Prime Minister Park's mention of the 'age 5 school entrance' education reform plan, it is interpreted that reflecting public opinion and dismissing Deputy Prime Minister Park will be used as a turnaround card. A ruling party official predicted, "To get out of this situation, a symbolic decision such as a personnel reshuffle is necessary. If the current controversy does not end, there is a risk of losing national momentum itself."
The presidential office also seems concerned about the negative evaluation of President Yoon exceeding 70% for the first time following last week's lowest approval rating of 24%. According to a public opinion poll conducted by the Korean Social Opinion Institute (KSOI) commissioned by TBS (conducted on the 5th-6th with 1,002 adults aged 18 and over nationwide, using ARS method), the evaluation of President Yoon's state affairs management showed a positive rating of 27.5% (13.7% very well, 13.8% generally well) and a negative rating of 70.1% (7.5% generally poorly, 62.6% very poorly). The positive rating dropped by 1.4 percentage points compared to last week's survey, while the negative rating rose by 1.6 percentage points.
A presidential office official said, "For now, with Chuseok approaching and the high inflation situation continuing, we will focus on managing prices for the common people and low-income groups to prevent further damage," adding, "This week, rather than focusing on events like the government's 100-day anniversary, it is expected to be a time to check state affairs issues one by one."
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