In South Korea, a burgeoning influence-peddling scandal involving President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, has placed intense scrutiny on the presidency, dragging approval ratings to a new low. Yoon, facing allegations of inappropriate influence in the 2022 parliamentary by-election candidate selection, vehemently denied any misconduct during a press conference on Thursday, stating, "I didn't do anything inappropriate and have nothing to hide regarding Myung Tae-kyun."
The controversy revolves around Myung, an election broker and founder of a polling agency, who purportedly conducted free opinion surveys for Yoon before his presidency. Allegations center on whether Yoon and his wife used their influence to promote Kim Young-sun, a senior member of the ruling People Power Party, as a candidate. Leaked audio tapes of conversations between Yoon and Myung have further fueled the scandal, showing Yoon allegedly urging support for the candidate. Myung can be heard thanking Yoon in one recording, saying, "I really won't forget this favor for my entire life. Thank you!"
Yoon, who was president-elect at the time of the alleged conversations, denied any legal impropriety, asserting that he did not interfere in candidate selections. Despite his defense, Yoon's approval ratings have plummeted to below 20%-a new low since his inauguration-amid persistent scrutiny over his wife's other alleged controversies, including purported acceptance of a luxury gift from a pastor.
The opposition Democratic Party has pounced on the scandal, describing Yoon's response as "arrogant" and demanding a thorough, independent investigation into the first lady's alleged misconduct. The party claims to have additional audio evidence that implicates Yoon, though his supporters maintain that the accusations are politically motivated attempts to distract from their own issues. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, Yoon's rival in the 2022 presidential race, is facing multiple legal battles, including corruption charges, with key court dates looming in mid-November. Lee's potential political comeback in the 2027 presidential election only intensifies tensions.
As domestic political pressures mount, President Yoon finds himself navigating critical foreign policy issues. On Thursday, he congratulated Donald Trump on his U.S. presidential victory, signaling a commitment to bolstering trilateral security cooperation with the United States and Japan amid heightened North Korean threats. North Korea's reported involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict adds another layer of complexity, underscoring the urgency of Yoon's diplomatic efforts.
In a recent phone conversation with Trump, Yoon emphasized the need for strengthened bilateral ties, expressing optimism about a "more meaningful and in-depth" partnership. Acknowledging North Korea's accelerated nuclear capabilities since Trump's previous engagement with Kim Jong Un, Yoon said, "Trump will be receiving comprehensive reports about how North Korea's nuclear technologies and capabilities have changed." He also sought to mitigate potential economic fallout from Trump's "America First" approach by assuring South Koreans that "multifaceted efforts" were underway to hedge against potential economic risks.
Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst with the Center for a New American Security, noted that Yoon's rapport with Trump may play a decisive role in South Korea's diplomatic positioning. "This might be the only way to avert devastating consequences and surprises in the alliance relationship," Kim explained.
