Yoon's Approval Rating Surpasses 40% After 5 Consecutive Weeks of Increase
Resolving 1-Year Accumulated Image of Poor Communication Including Veto Use
Secures Support by Outlining Economic and Livelihood Vision in 2nd Year of Presidency
President Yoon Suk-yeol is expected to hold an official press conference with the press corps as early as this week. Having completed a series of overseas trips and with approval ratings on the rise, this is interpreted as a strategy to strengthen communication.
According to the Blue House on the 30th, President Yoon is preparing for his second press conference with the press corps. Since the 100-day inauguration press conference in August last year, President Yoon has conveyed government messages through live broadcasts of emergency economic and livelihood meetings, national agenda review meetings, and cabinet meeting remarks, without holding a live press conference. The brief Q&A sessions on the way to work (doorstepping), which were held after President Yoon’s inauguration, were also suspended after November last year.
However, starting last month, with the recovery of approval ratings following the Korea-US summit, the restoration of Korea-Japan shuttle diplomacy, and attendance at the Group of Seven (G7) summit, it is interpreted that President Yoon decided to hold this press conference.
According to a public opinion poll conducted by Realmeter commissioned by Media Tribune and released the day before, President Yoon’s approval rating stood at 40%, continuing a five-week consecutive rise (conducted from the 15th to 19th over five days targeting 2,504 adults aged 18 and over nationwide using an ARS automated response method, with a 95% confidence level and a sampling error of ±2.0 percentage points; detailed information is available on the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website). This is the first time in 12 weeks that the approval rating has reached the 40% range.
Additionally, concerns that the image of being 'uncommunicative' could solidify due to consecutive vetoes on the Grain Management Act and the Nursing Act are also seen as a background for President Yoon to engage in direct communication.
The opposition parties have criticized President Yoon as an 'uncommunicative leader' around the first anniversary of his inauguration. Moreover, with an additional veto expected next month on the amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act (the Yellow Envelope Act), it is interpreted as a preemptive move to convey the president’s determination regarding government administration through a press conference.
Therefore, this press conference is expected to focus on reflections and achievements from the first year as well as the vision for government administration in the second year. In particular, since support from moderate and independent voters is essential to strengthen the momentum of government administration, remarks on economic measures are also anticipated. Furthermore, President Yoon is likely to directly mention his vision on issues directly related to people’s livelihoods, such as the three major reforms and welfare systems.
However, with North Korea announcing plans to launch a satellite next month, there is a possibility that the schedule for the press conference may be adjusted depending on domestic and international variables. A senior official from the Blue House explained, “The importance of communication with the public and the media is something President Yoon has always emphasized,” adding, “Besides the North Korean variable, practical aspects will also be reviewed before proceeding.”
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