(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on Aug. 31)

The second-term Cabinet of South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung has taken drastic measures to address falling approval ratings. In a matter of days, the president dismissed six ministers, sparking concerns about the effectiveness of such a rapid reshuffle. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, who had been planning an overseas trip, hastily canceled it and later reversed his decision.

The reshuffle comes as a desperate attempt to reverse the president's rapid decline in recent polls. The chief of staff, Kang Hoon-sik, emphasized the candidates' dynamism and expertise in delivering tangible results. However, replacing ministers alone is unlikely to restore public confidence, as President Lee personally sets policy directions and manages the details.

In fact, a recent Gallup Korea poll revealed that Lee's negative job rating reached an all-time high of 50 percent, with respondents citing real estate policy, reduced prosecutorial powers, economic issues, ethical concerns, and defense and security as the main reasons for their dissatisfaction. The president's recent reversals on critical issues, such as taxes on non-occupying home owners, abolition of supplementary investigations, and drop in prosecutions, have only added to the public's disillusionment.

Some of the nominees, including Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won and Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul, could potentially exacerbate public concerns. Kim, who has previously advocated for the cancellation of prosecutions in Lee's trials and supports abolishing prosecutors' supplementary investigative authority, may continue to undermine the reshuffle's intended purpose.

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul, on the other hand, must prioritize the national interest and make tough decisions on contentious issues, including Opcon and the proposed merger of military academies. Furthermore, the appointment of gender equality minister Yong Hye-in from the Basic Income Party and senior presidential secretary for AI future planning Lee Hai-min from the Rebuilding Korea Party has been met with criticism, as it is perceived as further consolidating the ruling bloc.

The nomination of Ha Jung-woo, a former senior presidential secretary for AI future planning who lost an election, as vice chair of the National AI Strategy Committee appears to be yet another revolving-door appointment. Ultimately, the success of the reshuffle relies solely on President Lee Jae Myung's actions. If he genuinely demonstrates tangible changes that people can feel, the new faces might begin to restore public confidence. Otherwise, new appointments will not change the perception of an administration losing direction.