[Editorial] Government's approval rating hits all-time low; bold measures to ease anxiety and regain public trust are needed

President Joon-ho's approval rating for government performance has hit its lowest level since his inauguration. According to the Korea Gallup poll conducted on July 11-13, his positive evaluation dropped from 44% to 44% and his negative evaluation rose from 46% to 46%. This is lower than the 43.3% positive and 53% negative ratings in a Real Meter survey, and the 49% positive and 43% negative ratings in a national indicator survey.

If left unchecked, this could lead to a weakening of government power. Given that this approval rating, which had been consistently over 60% since the beginning of the year, began to decline after the 6·3 local elections, it's clear that there are significant issues at play. Housing prices have continued to rise, and speculative lending has been restricted in an effort to curb the real estate bubble.

However, housing prices continue to rise, leading to a slowdown in the purchasing of premium real estate and an increase in speculative trading. These factors, along with concerns over the withdrawal of confidence from the opposition and the consequences of the partial election cancellation, are contributing to the decline in public confidence.

The primary reasons for the drop in approval rating are related to housing policy (30%), economic and social issues (13%), and reduced authority of the Prosecutor General (5%). Despite the high approval rating at the beginning of the presidency, it's common for the ratings to decrease over time as the government's policies and actions are scrutinized.

But if the decline in approval rating leads to a loss of control by the opposition and shifts the national leadership to the far-right, it could have serious implications for the constitutional order and democracy. While the decline in approval rating cannot be solely attributed to the president, it's clear that the government and the ruling party failed to convincingly communicate their values and direction to the public.

Instead of dismissing those who express concern about policy direction as 'anti-reformists', efforts should be made to address their worries and provide a sense of security. A bold move is needed to overcome the 'trust crisis' surrounding the president's health. Clear statements from the president on the issue of political maneuvering and the 'reform of the presidential system' are necessary to dispel rumors and regain the public's trust. The key to reviving government momentum is to restore public trust.