Seoul: The ruling party in South Korea is urged to address the growing public distrust in its governance rather than attributing the declining support to an ideological conflict. Democratic Party (DP) leader Kim Min-seok recently compared internal criticism of President Lee Jae Myung to past attempts to impeach former President Roh Moo-hyun, highlighting frustration with party hard-liners who prioritize ideological purity in reforms.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae criticized the nomination of a former prosecutor to lead the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, accusing the administration of "cowering while leaning on insurrectionist forces." Similarly, former DP leader Jung Chung-rae expressed on commentator Kim Eo-jun's program that "the president was stabbed in the back by prosecutors." These statements reflect the serious factional conflicts within the ruling party, with the leader invoking "impeachment" just two years into the administration.
The primary issue, however, extends beyond party unity or hardcore supporters' dissatisfaction with reform efforts. President Lee's declining approval rating, now at 33.8 percent after nine consecutive weeks of decline, stems from a perceived lack of common sense, fairness, and pragmatic centrism in governance. Legislative actions, government policies, and presidential appointments have often defied public expectations. For instance, the abolition of supplementary investigative authority left crime victims unsupported, and real estate tax revisions increased burdens on single home owners who do not reside in them. Current housing policies also categorize many nominees in the recent Cabinet reshuffle as speculators.
Public disappointment is evident as the Democratic Party's support stands at 36.1 percent, trailing behind the People Power Party at 42.1 percent. The decline is not due to weak or impure reforms but is a reflection of the public's disillusionment with governmental conduct. The ruling party needs to shift its focus from internal ideological disputes to understanding why voters are losing confidence.
To regain public trust, the party must align government actions with the common sense of ordinary citizens. Internal debates over reform commitment are merely distracting from this crucial objective.