Rep. Lee Jae-myung, front row center, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), chants a slogan during a rally near Seoul Station, Saturday, with party members and supporters carrying signs that read "Conduct special investigation into (first lady) Kim Keon Hee." Yonhap President to skip 2025 budget speech amid snowballing scandal By Kwak Yeon-soo Opposition parties have been intensifying their protest against President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee amid a swirling election meddling scandal surrounding the presidential couple and a political broker.
Their upgraded offensive, which even includes calls for Yoon’s impeachment, came as the president’s job approval rating plummeted to the lowest level since his inauguration in May 2022, at 19 percent. The ruling party, however, is struggling to counter the offensive as new allegations involving the first couple — particularly Kim — continue to surface. The presidential office is reiterating its position that the first couple does not bear any legal responsibility even if the allegations are proven true, which falls short of public expectations for higher moral standards.
On Saturday, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) held a large rally in central Seoul, demanding a special counsel bill to investigate allegations against Kim, including stock manipulation, her receipt of a luxury bag, and interference in the party’s candidate nominations for the 2022 parliamentary by-elect.