Public Turns Away from Democratic Party Amid Infighting and Offensive Remarks… Approval Rating Overtaken by PPP
The Democratic Party of Korea is in turmoil following back-to-back comments by Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae and Rep. Boo Seung-chan that disparaged firefighting budgets as a 'straw sucking on fire service finances.' The crisis in approval ratings has become a reality, with a poll showing the Democratic Party (36.2%) being overtaken by the People Power Party (40.9%). Two months of infighting since the August 17 party convention, compounded by the offensive remarks, have left observers wondering why public sentiment is draining away.
The Democratic Party was in disarray all day on the 20th. Party leader Kim Min-seok appeared on the party's official YouTube channel 'Democratic Party TV' and bowed his head, saying, 'I apologize once again.' The leadership's first response to the successive remarks by Governor Choo and Rep. Boo was an apology. Floor leader Han Byung-do said at a National Assembly audit strategy meeting, 'As floor leader, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility that the words and actions of public officials belonging to the Democratic Party fell short of the public's expectations and standards. We must return to our original principles.' Secretary-General Han Jeong-ae sent an official document the previous night to provincial and municipal party chairs and regional chapter heads, asking them to 'exercise particular caution against words and actions that run counter to public sentiment.'
The officials who made the remarks also bowed their heads. Rep. Boo posted an apology on Facebook on the 20th, writing, 'I sincerely apologize to the firefighters and members of the public who were hurt by my remarks.' Governor Choo met that afternoon at her office with six union officials, including Kang Young-gak, head of the fire service division of the Korean Government Employees' Union, and Park Jin-gyu, head of the Gyeonggi Fire Service Association, repeatedly apologizing: 'If my wrong choice of words caused deep emotional wounds, I sincerely and wholeheartedly apologize.' Choo made her remark on firefighting budgets at the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee audit on the 13th, while Rep. Boo made his at the Gyeonggi Province session of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee audit on the 19th. In between, on the 17th, firefighter Kim Jin-seok died in the line of duty battling a factory fire in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, and Governor Choo visited his memorial altar to apologize.
With allegations of a mass entry of Shincheonji church members into the party having brought factional strife to the surface, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok signaled his intent to resolve the matter according to party constitution and rules procedures. Supreme Council member Choi Min-hee and others have called it a media play and are demanding a thorough investigation. Differences over judicial and prosecutorial reform are also being exposed without filter. The party is attempting to rally its support base by raising the impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo Hee-de, but concerns are emerging even within the party, and no clear timetable exists. Hard-line prosecutorial reform advocates such as Governor Choo and Rep. Kim Yong-min continued their fierce opposition despite the presidential office's re-vetting in the appointment of Kim Ji-yong as the first head of the Corruption Investigation Office.
Analysts say public sentiment is turning its back on the Democratic Party due to its infighting and the successive controversies over offensive remarks. Upon taking office, leader Kim Min-seok laid out the 'ABC Plan' (Alive, Big, Capable) and set various task forces, including 'Mega Ten,' in motion. However, critics say the party has failed to prioritize and focus, leaving its direction vague. There are also assessments that leadership faltered as the party failed to ease tensions right after the convention. The party leadership has moved to contain the fallout with apologies and calls for restraint. Political commentator Park Sang-byung said, 'The party must present policies and deliver results on the issues where the public is most desperate, such as real estate.'
