An "President's approval rating at 20% less than 100 days into term is unprecedented in constitutional history"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, stated on the 19th that the low approval rating of President Yoon Suk-yeol's administration is "an unprecedented event in constitutional history, with the president's approval rating dropping to the 20% range in less than 100 days since inauguration."

In an interview with a media outlet published that day, Ahn said, "They must be thinking about how to overcome this situation, but truly extraordinary measures are needed."

He added, "Half of the people who voted for President Yoon in the presidential election did so because they liked him, and the other half voted for regime change. These people are the centrists," and questioned, "Isn't it because all of them have now fallen away that the approval rating has dropped to the 20% range?"

He went on to cite fairness, common sense, rationality, and livelihood as what the centrist group desires, pointing out, "The Yoon Suk-yeol government has not shown visible achievements in these three areas."

He said, "For example, President Yoon spoke about freedom in his Liberation Day (August 15) address. If so, regulations must be reasonably resolved to grant freedom to businesses and individuals," adding, "If that is not seen, support will not return."

Regarding the fading of the 'joint government theory' he advocated during the candidate unification, he said, "The person with the authority to appoint is the president. He makes appointments based on his judgment and takes full responsibility for the results," and added, "If I recommended someone for an appointment and it was refused, I must respect that."

He continued, "I respected the president's judgment and hoped for better results," but said, "However, it is very regrettable that the approval rating remains stagnant like this."

In response to criticism that there have been no achievements despite designing the administration as the chairman of the transition committee, he said, "I drew the blueprint. The government executes it," and explained, "For example, regarding COVID-19, we had detailed plans for a 100-day response by the end of August. There were other plans as well, but for various reasons, they were not implemented within 100 days. Ministerial appointments were delayed, other controversies had to be resolved, and the construction of the Yongsan Presidential Office was incomplete, among other overlapping issues."

Regarding his plan to announce a bid for the party leadership election, he mentioned the interim leadership's term and former leader Lee Jun-seok's injunction request, stating, "I think it is appropriate to announce my position once these various issues are resolved."

He emphasized, "I am the only person who can make the People Power Party a true centrist conservative party. It is my mission to transform the People Power Party into a genuine centrist conservative party."

On his call for the dissolution of the Innovation Committee, he expressed concern, saying, "My biggest worry is that the Innovation Committee opposes what the interim leadership has decided. If such internal strife occurs, the interim leadership will be damaged. It could even lead to an extreme emergency situation."

He added, "I proposed this in advance to minimize risks that were anticipated, not to cause discord. I have no interest in cutting anyone off."

Regarding his relationship with former leader Lee, he said, "We are not like dogs and monkeys fighting; I do not fight," and frankly stated, "Honestly, I am not interested in what former leader Lee says."