Lee Jae-myung's Approval Rating Hits All-Time Low of 34.6%, Diverging from Democratic Party

This figure indicates the collapse of the 35% support line. In contrast, negative evaluations accounted for 62.8%, exceeding the majority, with 'doing very poorly' responses reaching 53.2%.

The gap has further increased compared to the last survey. Notably, in Seoul and among those in their 20s and 30s, the gap widened to 20%p.

It has been confirmed that the Ministry of National Defense dispatched a survey team to the UAE. Regarding this, lawmaker Ahn Gyu-back commented that the atmosphere for deployment is maturing. The government denies that this is a preliminary investigation for deployment, but some believe it is a step towards deployment. Criticism is being raised that there is a difference in temperature between the government's announcement and the actual situation.

Some experts argue that the dispatch of a deployment survey team may have a significance beyond a simple preliminary investigation. This move is drawing more attention, especially at a time when Korea's role is expanding in relation to international affairs.

Contrary to the government's official stance, the media and political circles highly anticipate the possibility of deployment. This suggests that there may be reasons the government is not openly disclosing.

This situation could cause confusion among the public, and demands for transparent information disclosure are increasing. Many opinions suggest the need for a clear statement on whether troops will be deployed.

Criticism is being raised over President Lee Jae-myung's attendance at a film event in a small local town in France with President Macron. Some point out that diplomatic meetings between leaders with low approval ratings are unlikely to exert real diplomatic influence. Especially with increasing pressure for troop deployment ahead of the US midterm elections, questions are being raised about the appropriateness of such diplomatic activities.

Park Sang-si commented that while President Lee Jae-myung is leisurely attending a film event, discussing the multinational force issue in the Strait of Hormuz with President Macron, who also has a low approval rating, indicates that the US is highly displeased. Criticism continues that such diplomatic judgments do not serve the national interest.

This diplomatic move is leading to calls for a reassessment of the Lee Jae-myung administration's diplomatic strategy. Doubts are growing about what practical achievements meetings with leaders with low approval ratings will bring, especially at a time when international cooperation on major issues is crucial.

Negative evaluations of President Lee Jae-myung in the Jeolla region recorded 54%, surpassing positive evaluations at 44%. This indicates that the approval rating in the Jeolla region, which was a core base of President Lee Jae-myung's supporters, is collapsing. It is also reported that approval ratings among those in their 20s and 30s are dismal.

This is a strong message that the public sentiment does not support President Lee Jae-myung, emphasizing the severity of the current situation. Analysis suggests that if the current trend in approval ratings continues, serious disruptions in state administration could occur.

Only 16.6% were in favor. Even within the pro-Lee Jae-myung support base, 18% opposed Yong Hye-in's appointment, indicating dissenting votes among Lee Jae-myung's supporters.

This result suggests that there is very low public consensus regarding Yong Hye-in's appointment. The significant opposition even within President Lee Jae-myung's core support base is expected to be a considerable burden for future personnel matters.

The appointment of candidate Yong Hye-in is seen as not merely about one individual holding a ministerial position, but potentially directly linked to public trust in the Lee Jae-myung administration's overall personnel policy. It remains to be seen how the Lee Jae-myung administration will respond to the overwhelming public opposition.

The panelist explained that Rep. Kim Min-seok holding this authority shows that he conveyed an opinion of unsuitability regarding candidate Yong Hye-in to President Lee Jae-myung, but President Lee Jae-myung has not yet made a decision.

It is believed that issues related to these two individuals undermined the overall assessment of President Lee Jae-myung. Opinions were also raised about the need for detailed public opinion surveys on individual issues.

Opinions were also presented that if it were a special prosecutor investigation, the agreement rate would have been much higher. There is also a view that parliamentary investigations tend to be perceived as lacking effectiveness.

The panelist mentioned that a parliamentary investigation into an individual who has already left office might be perceived by the public as unnecessary or having minimal effect. This reflects the public's awareness of the political nature and limitations of parliamentary investigations, unlike investigations by judicial authorities or a special prosecutor.

When the purpose of a parliamentary investigation is seen as political attack rather than truth-finding, it becomes difficult to gain public support or agreement. Especially, an investigation into a resigned official can further spark controversy regarding its effectiveness.

Due to stock manipulation allegations related to Genencell's clinical trial lobbying, Sejong Medical, which was once a healthy company, suffered a hostile takeover and delisting. This resulted in cash losses of 11.3 billion won and massive damages from a stock price crash. Investor losses amount to over 18 billion won, and approximately 30,000 investors were affected.

Sejong Medical was originally a solid company, but due to external intervention and lobbying allegations, it rapidly headed towards collapse. This case re-emphasizes the importance of corporate management transparency and shareholder protection.

Numerous individual investors are suffering immense losses, and there are growing calls for a thorough investigation, punishment of those responsible, and measures for victim relief.

The total amount received by family members was confirmed to be well over 300 million won. The facility received state vouchers, and suspicions of illegality and preferential treatment utilizing the powerful lawmaker's status have been raised.

This cooperative is known as a social enterprise facility that receives government subsidies. Criticism is emerging about whether it constitutes moral hazard for multiple family members of a lawmaker to work and receive salaries from a publicly funded institution.

Especially given that Kim Seung-won is an incumbent lawmaker, concerns are raised about the possibility of his influence being unduly exerted on the cooperative's operation and state support. There are growing calls for a thorough investigation to resolve these suspicions.

This issue is seen as a complex matter involving not just family salary receipts but also the transparency of state-funded projects and potential conflicts of interest for incumbent lawmakers. The repercussions could be significant depending on the results of future investigations or audits.

Representative Kim Min-seok expressed his position to push for constitutional reform, including changes to the power structure. However, Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sik dismissed this, stating there would be no constitutional reform under the Lee Jae-myung administration, showing opposing views. This demonstrates a significant difference in opinion between the ruling and opposition parties regarding constitutional reform.

Rep. Kim Min-seok argues that the current power structure of the constitution does not suit the changing times and that reform is necessary for efficient state administration. He particularly emphasizes the need for constitutional reform, pointing out the drawbacks of the presidential system.

Conversely, Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sik argues that discussions on constitutional reform are unnecessary at this point and could instead cause national confusion. He appears to have concluded that constitutional reform is realistically difficult during the Lee Jae-myung administration's term.

He specifically pointed out that the collapse of the real estate loan market is destroying the private supply system.

Attorney Won Young-sup commented that he considered the Moon Jae-in administration the worst president ever, but never imagined President Lee Jae-myung would surpass President Moon. This is interpreted to mean that the current government's real estate policies have led to negative results far exceeding market expectations.

Real estate market instability directly impacts the common people's economy, exacerbating chaos in the housing purchase and jeonse (long-term lease) markets. Criticism is mounting that the government's frequent policy changes and market-disregarding interventions are paradoxically creating adverse effects.

As private supply contracts and loan regulations tighten, it becomes even more difficult for real demanders to secure housing. Concerns are growing that this situation could lead to an overall decline in economic vitality.

The upward trend in real estate prices is spreading beyond Gangnam, Mapo, Yongsan, and Seongdong (Ma-Yong-Seong) to other areas across Seoul, including Gwanak-gu. With the exception of some districts in the Seoul metropolitan area, apartment prices in most areas are nearing 1.5 billion won, and new highs are continuously being recorded. Notably, the 39-year-old Sanggye Jugong 11 complex in Nowon-gu is also consistently breaking new price records.

This phenomenon suggests that the comprehensive real estate tax (Jongbuse) could be imposed on the majority of households in Seoul. The rapid increase in prices even for old apartments in Nowon-gu, known for its concentration of affordable apartments, indicates a deepening overheating of the real estate market.

This indicates that despite positive economic indicators like the semiconductor boom, its warmth is not reaching the general public. Questions are being raised about why so many people are failing.

Economic experts point out a discrepancy between macroscopic economic growth and the actual economy experienced by citizens. They analyze that the difficulties of self-employed individuals, small business owners, and low-income groups are intensifying, with high interest rates and high inflation further pushing them into a corner.

Criticism is also high that the government's policy failures regarding public welfare have led to these results. Arguments are being made for urgent and practical measures to alleviate the debt burden of ordinary citizens and support their economic independence.

The surge in personal bankruptcy applications can be interpreted not just as an individual problem but as an indicator of widening economic polarization and inequality across society. The government must take these warning signs seriously and seek fundamental solutions.

The panelist pointed out that commuter buses were necessary because there were structural reasons why entire families could not relocate, and that commuter buses were merely a means, not the cause of relocation. This suggests that the Lee Jae-myung administration is confusing the sequence of policy-making.

Criticism is also emerging that policymakers are overlooking practical difficulties on the ground and pushing policies based on theoretical discussions. This implies that they are failing to accurately diagnose the fundamental purpose of regional relocation and the problems that arise during the process.

While the relocation of public institutions has positive aspects for balanced regional development, it requires complex considerations such as the settlement issues of relocated employees and the quality of life for their families. Criticism continues that for the policy to succeed, these realistic constraints must be sufficiently understood and reflected.

The panelist strongly criticized that if the government truly believes in this policy, it is the most incompetent government ever, and if not, it has ulterior motives. This raises questions about the sincerity of the policy.

Some critics express concern about the imbalance where benefits are concentrated in specific regions under the guise of balanced regional development. They point out that such a policy approach could exacerbate inter-regional conflict and diminish policy effectiveness.

For the government's regional decentralization policy to truly contribute to regional development, careful planning that considers the characteristics and needs of each region is crucial. A biased policy approach toward a specific region could have adverse effects in the long run.

It was revealed that a farm shed was reported and recorded as a provincial party office. The Basic Income Party was confirmed to have received approximately 150 million won in provincial party subsidies in the first half of the year, and a request for a parliamentary hearing has been made regarding the actual scope of its activities.

This raises serious questions about the transparency of party operations and the appropriateness of using public funds. Receiving subsidies while only existing on paper without actual offices is difficult to defend against criticism of wasting taxpayers' money.

A political party's provincial office should serve as a hub for communication with local residents and party activities. However, inappropriate address registration can undermine this original purpose and erode public trust in the party.

There is a growing consensus that it is now time to overhaul the semi-interlocking proportional representation system. The fundamental problem of the law itself, which initially necessitated the creation of absurd satellite parties, is being highlighted.

The semi-interlocking proportional representation system was introduced with the aim of helping minor parties secure seats and reflecting diverse public opinions, but many evaluate that its purpose has been undermined by major parties creating satellite parties. This is perceived as a problem resulting from not only flaws in the system's design but also the political circles' opportunistic operational methods.

The issue of political accountability at the time of the system's introduction is also being re-examined. Criticism continues regarding the background of its forceful implementation despite these problems being anticipated, and some are even discussing the possibility of party dissolution.

Concerns are raised that if the current system is maintained, similar circumvention tactics could continue in the future. Therefore, there is a growing voice that without fundamental reform of the system, the regression of democracy cannot be prevented.

Critics pointed out that despite being able to confirm the situation through staff who worked on the standing committee, her answer of not remembering demonstrates a practice of data retention for shirking responsibility.

Panelist Kim Yo-won predicted that Democratic Party lawmakers, especially Rep. Kim Min-seok, will inevitably use many terms implying party-government separation in the future. This raises concerns about the acceleration of President Lee Jae-myung's lame duck period.

In the past, when a president's approval rating for state affairs declined, the ruling party often distanced itself from the president. This decoupling phenomenon increases the likelihood that ruling party lawmakers will seek independent actions for their own survival rather than aligning with the president, especially ahead of the next election.

The fact that the party's approval rating remains higher than the president's can be seen as a signal that the party and government are operating separately. This analysis suggests it could lead to weakening presidential leadership and a loss of momentum in state administration.

The futility argument is also raised, suggesting that populist policies will have limited ability to sway public sentiment. With the public desiring real change, simple populist policies are unlikely to reverse approval ratings.

Panelist Kim Yo-won analyzed that the administration likely expected support from youth and women when nominating Yong Hye-in, but the reality showed overwhelming opposition from the youth. High opposition rates were also seen among women and Honam supporters. This comes with a warning that it could lead to a 'personnel disaster,' and opposition to the appointment was also confirmed within the president's support base.

The high opposition rate among young people can be interpreted as reflecting dissatisfaction with the current government's youth policies and communication methods. In particular, controversies related to candidate Yong Hye-in seem to have negatively impacted fairness and transparency, which young people value highly.

The high opposition among women and Honam supporters suggests that Yong Hye-in's appointment could create cracks in the Lee Jae-myung administration's core support base. In this situation, pushing ahead with the appointment would inevitably increase the political burden.

This personnel controversy is considered a matter that can significantly affect the overall trustworthiness and approval ratings of the Lee Jae-myung administration, beyond merely one individual's ministerial role. Ignoring public opposition and proceeding with the appointment is likely to lead to a greater political crisis.