Is it possible for the president-elect to be a lame duck before she even takes the office? Park Geun-hye seems to be heading in that direction. After Park’s disastrous nomination of Kim Yong-joon as the prime minister–which failed in less than a week amid allegations of Kim’s corruption involving his sons–the poll numbers for Park is sinking like a rock. The latest poll showed 52% favorability to PGH, a drop of 4% before Kim’s nomination failed.
While it is quite normal for the outgoing president to leave with very low numbers–by the way, Lee Myeong-bak is clocking in at 23.2%, the lowest ever in Korean history–the low numbers for the president-elect is quite unusual. Korean public has historically given a generous honeymoon boost to the president election after the election, even after hotly contested elections. Roh Moo-hyun’s numbers as the president-elect was around 70%, even though Roh only prevailed by 2.3%. Kim Young-sam’s pre-inauguration numbers were over 80%.
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Did Korea, since the transtion to democracy, ever had such a bitter Presidential election ? I’m not surprised that PGH has such low rate of approval, when pretty much half the country see her as a dictator in pectore and probably some reincarnation of Beelzebub.
Even if she was the best politician in the history of the country (i assume she is not) the baggage she carries around would prevent her from swinging much more approval in her direction
She is going be/do fine in office. Step learning curve thats all. Its water off a ducks back. She was elected by the middle aged and eldery but to govern she needs appoint people in the prime of their career. Untanted (if thats even possible) grubby self-seeking ways.
Please pace yourself TK. We have five years of PGH, so slow down a bit and maybe wait until she’s actually the sitting President, then she might actually do something worth bashing.
Of course she’s a lame duck, as is every Korean President, since there is a one term limit on the position. Maybe it’s time to allow for reelection.
Step back and breathe TK, or at least review what the expression “lame duck” means.
Bashing? Hardly — I am cheering her on. If she does exactly what she promised in the campaign, she would be implementing 80% of the progressive campaign promises.
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