By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
A campaign by hyperactive Internet bloggers against U.S. beef imports alongside rampant mad-cow rumors have dragged President Lee Myung-bak's job approval rating down, according to a survey conducted by the governing Grand National Party's (GNP) think tank.
The Youido Institute, an in-house research institute of the governing party, found in its latest poll that Lee's rating has slipped to less than 30 percent, down 10 percentage points from last week. The Institute conducts public opinion polls every week on major political issues to report to the party's decision-making Supreme Council.
A researcher at the think tank declined to confirm accurate figures for Lee's ratings over the last two weeks. She told The Korea Times that only a handful of GNP leaders have the right to access poll results, and they are not disclosed to anyone outside the party.
Given that Lee's predecessor Roh Moo-hyun's lowest support during his presidential term was in the mid-20 percent range, Lee's ratings indicate the possibility of him facing record-low popularity during his tenure.
Political observers said there is no doubt that Lee's low rating is due to the backlash against the government's agreement to resume U.S. beef imports.
Thousands of people joined candlelit protests against the beef deal, and many of them were teenagers, apparently concerned about their health.
Besides these angry off-line protestors, there are also online bloggers seeking impeachment of the President.
According to a Web site involved in the campaign, more than 660,000 Internet users have signed up.
Conservatives dismissed the figure, claiming that it was largely exaggerated.
Rep. Shim Jae-chul of the Grand National Party contended that a left-wing conspiracy attempting to nullify the beef agreement is behind the vocal opposition.
Shim said progressive activists attempting to spread anti-American sentiment had masterminded the candlelit vigils as well as online impeachment moves.
The presidential office seems to share the view. A Cheong Wa Dae official said on condition of anonymity that several unreliable, unconvincing stories and rumors are rampant online and these stories have negatively influenced public perception of the beef deal.
The official said some Internet users purposefully posted malicious messages and misleading rumors associated with mad cow disease.
He added these unproven stories caused viewers and Internet users to conclude that the concern is widely held by ordinary citizens.
hkang@koreatimes.co.kr
