Internal Division Over Special Inspector Appointment Intensifies Amid Declining Presidential Approval

SEOUL: The People Power Party (PPP) is embroiled in an internal conflict over the appointment of a special inspector to investigate potential corruption involving close relatives of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The discord has been exacerbated by PPP leader Han Dong-hoon's recent insistence that the presidential office appoint the inspector independently, without tying the decision to the Democratic Party's (DP) recommendations for the North Korean Human Rights Foundation board. According to Yonhap News Agency, PPP floor leader Choo Kyung-ho, an ally of President Yoon, argued that the decision should be made by PPP legislators, although Han Dong-hoon, the party leader, is not a member of the legislature. The dispute comes at a time when the PPP is struggling with President Yoon's plunging approval ratings, which have recently fallen to 20 percent, according to a Gallup Korea poll. This drop mirrors the dramatic decline faced by former President Park Geun-hye in 2016, which ultimately led to her impeachment. The poll further indicates that 15 percent of respondents attribute the president's declining approval ratings to issues related to the first lady, suggesting that addressing these risks could help reverse public sentiment. The special inspector system, established in 2015 during Park's administration, has remained inactive following allegations of fraud against Park's sister by the first inspector. During Moon Jae-in's presidency, the role was deemed redundant with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). President Yoon has been resistant to the appointment of a special inspector, but questions remain about the rationale for linking this decision to the human rights foundation appointments. Appointing a special inspector could provide an opportunity to manage public concerns about the first lady's involvement in any potential misconduct. The Democratic Party is urged to collaborate in appointing a special inspector, as the president must select from three candidates proposed throug h bipartisan consensus. The DP has no apparent reason to oppose the recommendation of these candidates. In a forthcoming meeting with DP leader Lee Jae-myung, PPP leader Han is expected to press for cooperation, a request that Lee is encouraged to accept.