President Lee Jae-myung's Constitution Day Declaration on Safeguarding Popular Sovereignty and Approval Rating Holds at 52%

Constitution Day Ceremony and Declaration of Sovereignty Protection

On the occasion of the 78th anniversary of Constitution Day, President Lee Jae-myung presided over a citizen-invited event on the 17th to mark the launch of the 'Commission of Light,' a body directly under the President. At this gathering, he emphasized the steadfast principle that no one should reign above the Constitution. Furthermore, he declared his intention to firmly establish institutional safeguards to ensure that the sovereignty of the people is not threatened by external threats or the abuse of power by officially designating December 3rd of last year as 'Popular Sovereignty Day.' During the event, the President expressed his deep respect by presenting a letter of appreciation to the first 'Kisses Citizen,' reaffirming the role of citizens who practice sovereignty in their daily lives.

According to a recent Gallup Korea poll, President Lee's job performance approval rating stands at 52%. Conversely, the disapproval rating was recorded at 37%, marking a slight decline for the second consecutive week. The Democratic Party's support rate was tallied at 40%, while the People Power Party's stood at 26%, confirming that the ruling party still maintains an advantage. The fact that positive ratings remain in the early 50s suggests that a stable foundation of support has been formed for the administration's governance in its early stages. However, as approval ratings show a trend of stabilizing at a lower level, the administration must further solidify its capacity to communicate with the public regarding future economic and political issues.

Economic Interpretation of the Honam Semiconductor Cluster and Agricultural Security

The government is pursuing an economic strategy that addresses both the nation's food supply and cutting-edge industries. President Lee highly praised the 'Half-price LPG' policy in Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do, commending the efforts of local governments to stimulate the regional economy and consumption. particularly regarding the development of the semiconductor industry in the Honam region, he ordered a thorough focus on speed, including significantly shortening the environmental impact assessment period. This is a strategic decision aimed at preventing a decoupling from the global supply chain amidst the US-China tech hegemony war and fostering a national independent AI model to global standards. Reducing the regulatory period serves as a key incentive by lowering initial investment costs and opportunity costs for businesses.

Furthermore, to thoroughly protect food security, agriculture has been redefined as a core security strategy industry. In discussions with Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung, he emphasized the necessity of expanding domestic agricultural subsidies. Minister Song also pointed out that the scale of domestic agricultural subsidies is significantly lower than that of advanced nations, strongly backing the government's financial support. Agriculture is not merely a primary industry; it is a lifeline for maintaining the nation's resilience amidst rapid climate change and global logistics crises. The intent is clear: stability in basic livelihoods must be secured to drive accelerated development in cutting-edge technologies.

Constitutional Amendment Discussions in Politics and Political Opposition between Parties

While solidifying the economic foundation, discussions regarding fundamental innovation in the political structure are also gaining momentum. Chairman Cho Jung-sik officially declared the preparation of a '2027 Popular Sovereignty Constitutional Amendment' to be concluded within the 22nd National Assembly. This is a political attempt to overcome the limitations of the presidential system and usher in a true era of popular sovereignty through the decentralization of power. However, political perspectives on the constitutional amendment discussion show a distinct temperature gap. Rhyu Si-min, a former minister classified as a key figure in the pro-Lee faction, leveled sharp criticism, stating that this administration is inevitably embarking on a path of failure. He expressed deep concerns regarding the direction of policy and the personnel system as a whole.

In response to these internal criticisms, a fierce backlash is rising, particularly among the ruling party's hardcore supporters. The political divide is deepening to the point where Former Minister Rhyu's remarks are denounced as 'the act of a hyena crossing the line.' Separately, in opposition strongholds including the Honam region, political battles continue over the evaluation of past authoritarian figures and their historical significance, with Kwak Sang-eon rebutting claims that 'the loyalty of the late President Roh Moo-hyun mentioned by former Prime Minister Kim Jin-seok is factual.' President Lee has placed an emphasis on clearing away past wrongdoings and establishing principles, warning that companies violating regulations will face strong sanctions sufficient to lead to bankruptcy.