South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has decided to reject a key proposal from the opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, at their first talks since Yoon took over the office, showcasing the rift between both sides after the ruling party’s complete defeat in elections.
At a meeting on Monday which lasted for more than two hours, yoon ended up rejecting Lee’s proposal to provide a one-time cash handout to all people in the country for a total of 13 trillion won as a way to push forward the economy.
Lee Do-woon said at a briefing, “The president’s position is that considering the impact of inflation, interest rates, and government finances, it is favorable to provide targeted support to those in need under current circumstances”
The meeting was seen as part of Yoon’s effort to switch his leadership style, and reverse the impression of a top-down administration. His conservative People Power Party had a massive defeat in April 10 parliamentary election, which was widerly seen as the only referendum on the president who has three years left in the suppose. Support for yoon is at an all0time low.
“I had high hopes for the meeting, but I could not find any changes,” Sungjoon Park, a spokesperson and lawmaker for the Democratic Party, said in a statement. Park said Lee was “frustrated and disappointed” after the meeting.
While Lee, and Yoon haven’t reached an agreement on the cash handouts, both sides know about the increasing medical school quota, an issue that led to a prolonged walkout by thousands of trainee doctors in protest of the plan.
According to a Gallup Korea weekly survey issued on Friday, Yoon’s support rating was most recently at 24%, only marginally higher than an all-time low of 23% the previous week. Those who held a negative opinion of Yoon criticized him for his communication abilities and economic management.
