Ruling party leadership united behind Yoon for first time

• Published date: 09 March 2023
• Publication title: The Korea Times

With his close aide taking control of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), President Yoon Suk Yeol has secured ? for the first time ? a party leadership that shares much of his political vision, according to analysts, Thursday.

Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon, a four-term lawmaker, was elected as the PPP's new chairman the previous day. This means a united and supportive leadership for the president, who has been less popular than most of his predecessors, in part because of a lack of support from his own party.

"The most damaging factor in terms of a president's approval rating is criticism from their own party," Bae Jong-chan, a political analyst who runs Insight K, a consultancy, told The Korea Times. "With the problem now removed, Yoon's popularity is expected to grow."

It may not be accurate to say that the outcome of the PPP leadership race will allow Yoon to strengthen his grip on the party because Yoon, who only joined it a few months before the presidential election, never had what can be called a grip, experts say. Attacked constantly by previous party leaders...