PPP's approval rating remains flat despite 'Han Dong-hoon effect'
People Power Party (PPP) interim leader Han Dong-hoon speaks to reporters after a policy meeting in Seoul, Friday. Joint Press Corps
Despite efforts by People Power Party (PPP) interim leader Han Dong-hoon to attract voters, the ruling party continues to lack widespread approval, with ratings remaining at similar levels to those before the ex-justice minister became its leader.
Han, a political novice who assumed office in late December after resigning from the justice minister post, has undertaken a rigorous campaign to fortify the conservative party's position in the upcoming April 10 general elections.
During his first month in the role, Han traveled to various regions to expand the party's support base. His itinerary included trips to Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju, Busan and Incheon. He also visited Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province, Wonju in Gangwon Province, Changwon in South Gyeongsang Province and Suwon in Gyeonggi Province.
In each city, Han made efforts to connect with the local community, revealing his personal ties to each respective region, taking selfies with supporters and visiting local restaurants.
The former minister, however, seems to be falling short of expectations that he would be a successful flag-bearer, capable of salvaging the party's election aspirations.
In a Gallup Korea poll conducted from Tuesday to Thursday, surveying 1,200 adults aged 18 and over, the PPP secured 36 percent of support. The figure remained unchanged from the previous week, as well as the second week of last December, before Han took office.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.
"Han Dong-hoon is a popular figure who grabs headlines with his public appearances and fashion choices. Yet, the problem is that public interest seems to be focused solely on Han rather than on his party's actions," said Park Chang-hwan, a political commentator and professor at Jangan University.
Park commented that the former justice minister is good at capturing the media's attention, but he seems more like a "political influencer" than a party leader who should be able to effectively appeal to voters who are frustrated by the former PPP leadership or the liberal bloc.
Another weakness of Han seems to be his "excessively close ties" with President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Widely considered as the president’s right-hand man, Han was appointed as the Yoon administration's inaugural justice minister.
"Han seems to be following the traditional playbook when it comes to the ruling party's relationship with the president. People want the governing party to offer candid advice to the president, rather than defending him at all costs," said Park.
The outspoken PPP leader's rhetoric has been heavily focused on attacking the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and its scandal-ridden leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung. However, Han's sharp rhetoric becomes somewhat restrained when addressing controversies surrounding the president and his wife, Kim Keon Hee.
Lee Jun-seok, the inaugural leader of the Reform Party, waves the party's flag during a launching ceremony held at the National Assembly, Saturday. Yonhap
While the PPP struggles with stagnant ratings, former PPP leader Lee Jun-seok has officially launched his new political party, called the Reform Party, emphasizing its detachment from Yoon and hinting at cooperation with other parties.
Lee, who has long been butting heads with Yoon and the PPP's mainstream members, branded his party as an alternative option for those who are displeased with the nation's predominantly bipartisan politics.
"If one were to ask what we can do better compared to President Yoon Suk Yeol and DPK leader Lee Jae-myung, it would be 'reform,'" the 38-year-old politician said during a speech at the launch ceremony at the National Assembly, Saturday.
He also said his party was created to show that "governing the world cannot be achieved solely with the prosecutor's sword," in an apparent message directed at Yoon, a former prosecutor.