Yoon's US visit unlikely to boost approval rating

President Yoon Suk Yeol stares at the floor during an event in the presidential office in Seoul, April 6. According to a poll released by Gallup Korea Friday, his approval rating dropped to 27 percent in the wake of U.S. surveillance allegations. It was the first time it fell below 30 percent since November 2022 following the Itaewon crowd disaster that killed at least 158 people. Yonhap

President's popularity crisis revives after Pentagon wiretapping

By Jung Min-ho

Expectations were high among presidential aides and ruling party politicians only two weeks ago when it was announced that President Yoon Suk Yeol would address the U.S. Congress on April 27 during his trip to Washington.

Many thought that his state visit to the United States ― the first by a Korean head of state in 12 years ― would help him recover his image as a trusted leader and put a stop to his declining approval ratings following his hasty and controversial push to improve relations with Japan.

Yet skepticism is now growing that his visit will do little to achieve those goals. A mix of U.S. surveillance allegations, Washington's irresponsible response and ― most importantly ― the Yoon administration's poor handling of the situation has put the president in another political bind.

On Saturday, nearly 20,000 protesters gathered in the streets of central Seoul, denouncing the administration for its “humiliating diplomacy.”

“Despite the thief who stole our secret safe before the U.S. trip, [the administration] claims that it was a good thief and had goodwill,” activist Kim Min-woong said during the protest. “Shouldn't the U.S. apologize? This country (Korea) has become a global pushover, which does not complain even when its sovereignty is violated. Humiliating.”

The recently leaked U.S. intelligence documents contain private conversations between top Korean security officials, indicating that Washington may have spied on them and possibly others. U.S. investigators are looking into how the documents wound up online. So far, they have arrested Jack Teixeira, 21, an airman in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, as a key suspect.

When the issue was emerging, Yoon's aides and senior diplomats raised the possibility of a third country's involvement in leaking and doctoring the documents while defending the U.S. Meanwhile, Kim Tae-hyo, the deputy national security director, said there was no evidence suggesting that Washington was spying “with malicious intent.”

Kim Tae-hyo, deputy national security director, speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport, Saturday, after returning from his Washington trip. Yonhap

With the U.S. offering no public apologies or promises to stop spying on Korea, the public has been upset, and they're taking it out on Yoon. According to a poll released by Gallup Korea Friday, the president's approval rating dropped to 27 percent from 31 percent a week ago, with 28 percent of the respondents disapproving of his diplomatic activities as their main reason. It was the first time his approval rating fell below 30 percent since November 2022 following the Itaewon crowd disaster, which killed at least 158 people.

Criticism over the tragedy's handling comes not just from the opposition Democratic Party of Korea but also from within the ruling People Power Party, with influential figures such as Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo calling for a proper investigation.

Apparently aware of the public discontent, Kim said Sunday that he expressed regret to U.S. officials over the incident. However, when asked whether the issue would be included in the summit agenda between Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden next week, he said it would not.

“The two sides shared the view that we should take this as an opportunity to strengthen our trust,” Kim told reporters at Incheon International Airport after his trip to Washington for the upcoming Yoon-Biden summit. “The U.S. side said it will maintain close communication with us over developments concerning the issue.”