Posts Facebook message criticizing Kim Ou-joon
Independent lawmaker Choi Hyuk-jin took a swipe at broadcaster Kim Ou-joon, saying, "It seems you want to shake up the president to show off your influence, but you should know when to stop."
The criticism came after Kim, on his YouTube channel, pointed to President Lee Jae Myung's recent decline in approval ratings. He predicted, "If this trend continues, there is a high chance his approval rating will fall into the 20-percent range within a month."
In a Facebook post Wednesday, Choi said, "Kim Ou-joon's shamanistic ritual will ultimately end in disgrace."
Choi said, "I see Kim's remark that 'President Lee's approval rating will fall to 20 percent' not as a simple prediction but as political maneuvering." He added, "It was an indirect instruction to his YouTube viewers to give negative answers if they happen to receive a polling call."
He went on to say, "This is behavior that treats the public as fools and disregards them," and warned, "That could end up bringing him great disgrace."
Choi went on to say that the public would soon feel the effects of key government projects. These include three major megaprojects, free tuition at regional universities, an expansion of the local currency budget and the large-scale relocation of public institutions to the regions.
Choi said, "The public does not want the president to spend his time on political maneuvering," adding, "They expect him to forcefully bring about changes that make a real difference in their lives."
He added, "President Lee is going down that path with all his heart and strength. Do not hold him back," and said, "I hope you will make future-oriented and reasonable judgments."
Meanwhile, on Monday, Kim analyzed polling data with Realmeter CEO Lee Taek-soo on his radio program "Gyeomsoneun Himdeulda News Factory" (loosely, "Humility Is Hard, News Factory"). He predicted that the approval rating would fall into the 20-percent range within a month.
Kim said, "What matters is that this downward trend has already continued for more than two months," adding, "Even when there is positive news, it does not reach his supporters. Positive news is not functioning as a positive factor — only negative news is having an effect."
He continued, "It just keeps falling," and said, "Overall, the administration appears to be losing momentum in running state affairs."
Kim said, "We have reached a phase where the president has no choice but to come out himself and keep speaking in his own words," adding, "This is not a situation that can be solved through a Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson or the president's social media."
jshan@heraldcorp.com
