When exit polls indicated the Democratic Party appeared poised for a decisive victory in the June 3 local elections and the parliamentary by-elections, international media largely credited President Lee Jae-myung’s strong approval ratings.
The New York Times, in a Seoul dispatch headlined “South Korea Local Elections Point to a Big Win for Progressives,” said Lee’s administration — which took office after a conservative predecessor was removed following a martial law declaration — has been influencing subsequent contests. The paper described the vote as both a referendum on Lee’s leadership and a critical test for the crisis-hit conservative opposition, noting that Lee, who assumed office a year ago, has seen high approval amid pragmatic diplomacy and a buoyant stock market.
The Associated Press noted that Thursday (the 4th) marked the president’s one-year anniversary and reported his approval rating exceeded 60 percent. AP said his pragmatic foreign policy helped allay concerns that his administration would sour ties with the U.S. and Japan. It added that support for the People Power Party collapsed after former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s martial law declaration, dropping to roughly half that of the Democratic Party, and that the party’s once-broad base has largely narrowed to hardline supporters.
By contrast, some outlets warned of excessive concentration of power within Lee’s administration and the ruling Democratic Party. The South China Morning Post, citing Reuters, reported that the Democratic Party now controls both the presidency and the National Assembly and that a strong showing in this election would create the most concentrated political power since 2020. Critics, the SCMP wrote, accuse the president of using the courts and the legislature to shield himself and close associates from criminal prosecution.
The New York Times also reported that high approval ratings may have bred overconfidence within the Democratic Party, noting the party advanced legislation that critics say could effectively neutralize the criminal charges Lee faced before his election.
The most important aspect of all translation processes is to keep the {vi[numeric value]})-type symbols intact without deleting or translating them. Please ensure this is strictly followed. Additionally, maintain the same number of {vi[numeric value]}) symbols as in the first translated result.
Most Commented