(EDITORIAL from Korea Herald on Sept. 1)

President Lee Jae Myung's recent Cabinet reshuffle, conducted on September 1st, has failed to address the underlying issues driving his diminishing approval ratings. The most significant changes occurred in the real estate and finance ministries, as Lee sought to restore the momentum of his administration. However, the replacements were merely symbolic, as the overall policy direction remained unchanged.

Most notably, two top officials responsible for real estate policy were replaced, but the nominee to succeed them is a lawmaker who has led efforts to abolish the prosecution's investigative authority and co-chaired a group calling for the withdrawal of indictments in cases involving President Lee. This decision has sparked controversy and raised concerns about Lee's potential involvement in his own legal cases.

Additionally, the president appointed a special counsel with the authority to withdraw indictments in cases involving him, effectively creating a dual mechanism for withdrawing indictments. Recent opinion polls show that Lee's job approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since he took office, with public discontent over real estate policies being a major factor.

Without a fundamental shift in policy direction, it is unlikely that personnel changes alone will revive Lee's approval ratings.