SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was already grappling with controversies, together with requires his impeachment, earlier than this week’s botched martial legislation declaration crushed his approval rankings to a document low 13%.
Yoon’s quarterly approval score fell to 24% this yr, the bottom for a president’s third yr in workplace since Roh Moo-hyun’s 23% in 2005-2006, in response to Gallup Korea. Even Park Geun-hye, impeached and faraway from workplace in 2017, managed 40% in her third yr.
The embattled Yoon faces an impeachment vote on Saturday for imposing martial legislation late on Tuesday – solely to rescind it six hours later when parliament unanimously rejected the measure.
Listed here are a few of his earlier controversies.
FIRST LADY
Yoon’s spouse, Kim Keon Hee, has been embroiled in myriad allegations, together with accepting presents comparable to a Christian Dior (EPA:) purse from a pastor and manipulating shares in Deutsch Motors, a BMW (ETR:) seller in South Korea.
Final month Yoon stated the allegations had been false, accusing critics of “demonising my wife”, though he apologised for inflicting public concern.
The unpopular first woman is cited as a significant cause for Yoon’s dismal rankings and a crushing defeat for his Folks Energy Celebration in April.
Late final month Yoon vetoed a invoice searching for a particular council investigation into graft and inventory manipulation allegations involving Kim, the third time he has rejected the opposition-led invoice.
Yoon and Kim have been accused of meddling within the ruling occasion’s candidate nomination course of and of exerting affect on the occasion to choose a specific candidate to run for parliament in 2022 on the request of an influence dealer.
MARINE’S DEATH
Yoon vetoed a invoice mandating a particular counsel probe into allegations that navy officers and the presidential workplace interfered in an investigation into the loss of life of a younger marine final yr that prompted public outrage.
The marine was swept away whereas conducting a search and rescue operation for flood victims. He and his fellow marines didn’t have life jackets.
DOCTORS STRIKE
A months-long walkout by younger docs over Yoon’s measures to handle a health care provider scarcity strained South Korea’s healthcare system and elevated public criticism of the federal government’s dealing with of the dispute.
HOT MIC
In 2022, Yoon was caught cursing on a sizzling mic after a gathering with U.S. President Joe Biden in New York.
Opposition lawmakers accused Yoon of insulting the U.S. Congress when media reported Yoon had stated Biden can be embarrassed if it didn’t cross a invoice on funding a well being initiative. The presidential workplace denied the allegations, saying he was referring to the South Korean parliament.
OFFICE MOVE
After being elected in 2022, Yoon moved the presidential workplace from the Blue Home to the defence ministry compound in central Seoul, a step estimated to value $40 million, inviting criticism from the earlier administration that the transfer was rushed and threatened nationwide safety.
Opposition lawmakers alleged Yoon had taken recommendation from a shaman concerning the transfer. He denied any affect, saying solely that he knew the person as a Buddhist priest.
