[Opinion] Why Did They Hold Such a Dinner Meeting?

"The current ruling party is like the Three Kingdoms. It is a triangular structure of Yoon Seok-yeol, Han Dong-hoon, and Oh Se-hoon. A behind-the-scenes power struggle is underway." A political insider I recently met diagnosed the political landscape of the ruling party this way. In short, as the midterm of President Yoon Seok-yeol's administration (November) approaches, the behind-the-scenes division within the ruling forces is intensifying.

Following the April 10 general election, President Yoon lost the power to lead the political situation. The circumstances have qualitatively changed. The parliamentary composition of 175 (Democratic Party of Korea) to 108 (People Power Party) is not simply a minority ruling but shows that the axis of power itself has tilted. The ruling party faced a major crisis on the brink.

Nevertheless, nearly six months later, neither the People Power Party nor the president has changed significantly. The People Power Party has gained a new focal point of power in 'Han Dong-hoon.' However, he has yet to demonstrate any significant presence. The party shows limitations, responding neither to public sentiment nor leading the political situation, with only a change in leadership. The reality of clinging to private meetings with the president is symbolic. They have yet to even release a 'post-election white paper.'

President Yoon seems to stubbornly refuse to acknowledge the election results. His meeting with Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, was merely formal. His relationship with Han, once close, is now like oil and water. Regarding his wife, Kim Geon-hee, allegations of 'interference in candidate selection' have even surfaced. Yet, no measures have been taken. Shortly after the election, the establishment of a 'Second Secretariat' was almost a foregone conclusion, but now it is as if nothing happened.

Meanwhile, Oh Se-hoon, the Mayor of Seoul, who is free and somewhat detached from the election results, has begun warming up in earnest. He has held consecutive dinner meetings with People Power Party lawmakers and defeated candidates. He is also actively promoting policies such as the 'Climate Cooperation Card' and 'Wrist Doctor 9988.' He has criticized former presidential chief of staff Lim Jong-seok, who advocated the 'Two Nations Theory,' and regarding the medical sector crisis, he has asserted that "both the government and the medical community must make concessions," actively voicing his opinions on current issues.

With no focal point within the ruling party and President Yoon's approval rating showing red lights, it suggests that the Three Kingdoms scenario will face turbulent waves ahead. According to a Gallup Korea survey (conducted nationwide from the 10th to 12th of last month among 1,002 voters aged 18 and over, with a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points; detailed information is available on the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission website), President Yoon's positive job performance rating is 20%, while the negative rating is 70%. Even among those aged 70 and above and conservatives, negative ratings exceed 50%.

According to the poll results, President Yoon is being shunned even by conservatives. The seemingly endless medical sector crisis, ongoing allegations involving Kim Geon-hee, lack of communication, and clumsy handling of affairs are the causes. The dinner meetings with the People Power Party leadership have prompted remarks like "Why bother if nothing comes of it?" There are no achievements; rather, conflicts seem to have deepened. Meanwhile, the public, already struggling with economic hardships, continues to click their tongues. Political environment management is failing.

The likelihood of voices saying "This cannot continue" has increased. The power of authority comes not from the barrel of a gun but from public approval ratings. This is why attention on the actions of Han Dong-hoon and Oh Se-hoon has intensified.