Angry rice farmers. Striking medical doctors. A $2,200 Dior bag.
South Korea’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, could have sealed his political destiny final week when he declared martial regulation, triggering public outrage. But he was hardly a beloved determine earlier than that.
Even earlier than Mr. Yoon’s temporary imposition of navy rule, a collection of scandals and unpopular selections had left him with among the lowest approval scores in South Korea’s historical past.
Now he faces an impeachment push, an riot investigation and extra protesters than he’s seen since taking energy in 2022. Growing inequality, rising costs and escalating threats from North Korea have additionally left voters offended.
Here’s how Mr. Yoon misplaced the belief of a lot of his voters.
March
Mr. Yoon was voted into workplace by the thinnest margin since South Korea started holding free presidential elections in 1987. Within days, he introduced a controversial plan to relocate the Defense Ministry so his workplace may transfer into its compound, at a price to taxpayers of about $41 million.
May
Weeks into Mr. Yoon’s time period, two of his cupboard nominees withdrew after being accused of nepotism. Three extra would resign inside months.
September
A media outlet printed a recording of Mr. Yoon apparently utilizing an expletive to discuss with U.S. lawmakers after a gathering with President Biden. Mr. Yoon known as the report “fake news,” and members of his celebration tried to enter the broadcaster’s places of work. Mr. Yoon has repeatedly gone after journalists and information organizations that criticized him, resulting in accusations of censorship and backsliding on democratic values.
October
Halloween celebrations in Itaewon, a full of life Seoul neighborhood, become catastrophe when 159 younger individuals have been killed in a crowd crush. Grieving households have been livid on the authorities. Records confirmed that the authorities had missed a number of alternatives to forestall such a disaster. But the federal government insisted it had not been accountable for public security that evening as a result of the festivities weren’t an official occasion. Mr. Yoon blamed officers within the discipline and refused to apologize.
March
Pushing to fix ties with Tokyo, Mr. Yoon introduced that his authorities would not search compensation from Japan for subjecting Koreans to pressured labor throughout World War II, saying it might as a substitute pay the victims itself. Mr. Biden praised the deal, however critics at residence solid the choice as a give up to South Korea’s former colonizer.
April
Citing issues about overproduction, Mr. Yoon vetoed a invoice that may have required the federal government to purchase surplus rice to stabilize costs. Farmers have since taken to the streets to demand the invoice’s return.
May
Tens of 1000’s of nurses went on strike after Mr. Yoon vetoed laws meant to enhance their pay and working circumstances. Mr. Yoon pointed to reservations that medical doctors and nursing assistants had expressed concerning the invoice.
August
Mr. Yoon’s endorsement of close by Japan’s plan to discharge handled radioactive wastewater from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant set off a public backlash.
November
Video taken with a hidden digital camera confirmed Mr. Yoon’s spouse, Kim Keon Hee, accepting an costly Dior pouch. She had been accused of questionable monetary dealings earlier than Mr. Yoon took workplace. Lawmakers handed a invoice requiring an investigation into the claims, however Mr. Yoon vetoed it, denying that his spouse had completed something flawed.
December
Mr. Yoon vetoed a union-backed invoice that may have restricted corporations’ potential to sue staff for losses throughout strikes. With wages stagnant, metallic staff, who’re very important to South Korea’s vehicle and shipbuilding industries, had been protesting the federal government’s labor insurance policies for months.
February
Trainee medical doctors walked off the job, demanding higher pay and working circumstances and protesting Mr. Yoon’s plan to dramatically improve medical college enrollment. Some senior medical doctors quickly determined to hitch the strike for someday every week. Many sufferers blamed the disruptions on the president’s unwillingness to compromise.
April
In parliamentary elections, voters gave the opposition 187 of the National Assembly’s 300 seats, one of many largest majorities in a long time. The outcomes have been broadly seen as a verdict on Mr. Yoon, and his approval score hit a brand new low: 23 %.
May
Mr. Yoon vetoed a invoice calling for a particular investigation into the demise of a marine and its aftermath. The marine died in 2023 whereas on a mission to rescue flood victims; it was later revealed that his workforce had not been given life jackets. An officer who investigated the case accused Mr. Yoon of pressuring the Defense Ministry to whitewash the matter.
November
Demanding wage protections, the nation’s largest commerce union organizer introduced plans for tens of 1000’s of railway, subway and college staff to strike throughout the first week of December.
Dec. 3
Mr. Yoon declared martial regulation — however he withdrew the order six hours later, after lawmakers rushed to the National Assembly and voted to rescind it.
Last weekend, simply earlier than lawmakers tried to question him, Mr. Yoon apologized to the individuals for declaring martial regulation. His celebration hinted that he may step down.
But in a speech televised on Thursday, Mr. Yoon mentioned his decree had been essential to “save the country” from “anti-state” opposition events, and he vowed to “fight to the end.”
An individual carrying a Yoon Suk Yeol masks danced in entrance of the National Assembly constructing after martial regulation was rescinded, because the police started to open the streets.
Chang W. Lee/The New York Times