South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s disapproval ratings have surpassed his approval ratings for the second time since the leader took office last month, a recent survey showed. Surveying 2,515 voters last week, Realmeter found that 46.6% of respondents view his governance favourably, while 47.7% disapprove of his work so far.
Similar perceptions were also reflected in a previous survey conducted from June 18-21 by Rnsearch, wherein 47.6% of the respondents offered their approval of Yoon, while 47.9% of the surveyees held a negative view of his performance.
Moon Jae-in came into office with the highest approval rating among South Korea's post-democratization presidents, and is also leaving with the highest outgoing approval.
— KEI (@KoreaEconInst) May 9, 2022
Meanwhile, President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol will be entering office with one of the lowest.#KoreaNumbers pic.twitter.com/GlCIhSqgNa
Bae Cheol-ho, a senior analyst at Realmeter, speculated that the rise in the Korean public’s negative perception of Yoon could be due to recent controversies involving the possible revision of the 52-hour work week and the government’s efforts to tighten its control over the police.
Yoon, who took office only a month and a half ago, has faced domestic backlash after he hinted at legally reducing the number of hours that employers can demand from their employers from July 1. Previously, employers could demand 40 regular hours, 12 hours of overtime, and then up to 16 more hours on weekends.
The new 52-hour rule extends special exceptions for those working in the healthcare and transportation industries but stipulates a break of at least 11 continuous hours between work shifts. Critics of the move have argued that the rule does not offer flexibility to either party. In response to the criticism in a country that is known for its long working hours, the Yoon administration has further confused people by stating that the decision was not final yet.
I'm leaving for Madrid today to attend the @NATO Summit. Through this occasion, I look forward to building a comprehensive network with our NATO and other like-minded partners to protect our economy, security, and solidarity that's based on our shared liberal democratic values. pic.twitter.com/FznVIByVRC
— President Yoon Suk Yeol (@President_KR) June 27, 2022
Yoon further criticism after he criticised the Korean National Police Agency on Thursday for prematurely releasing unapproved documents regarding a police reshuffle. By calling it “equivalent to a disturbance of national discipline,” Yoon’s reaction has prompted concern that the government might “attempt to control police” and “exploit the organization as a political tool.” Members of the National Consultative Body of Police Officers have strongly protested the move.
Meanwhile, on the international front, Yoon is set to attend the upcoming NATO summit, as well as hold a trilateral meeting with United States President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the sidelines. The meeting will mainly focus on the longstanding issue of a nuclear North Korea, which continues to upgrade its nuclear arsenal with striking speed.
“(Yoon’s) first overseas trip to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit may create a reverse momentum to increase the approval rating,” Bae said in reference to a possible change in Yoon’s rating. Yoon’s North Korea policy has previously generated concern due to his apparent readiness to use pre-emptive strikes.