Choi Min-hee, a supreme council member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Yonhap]
Choi Min-hee, a supreme council member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Yonhap]

Choi Min-hee, a supreme council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said Tuesday that the party's recent slide in approval ratings was "disastrous."

Appearing on the YouTube channel "Kim Eojun's News Factory," Choi responded to host Kim's remark that the new leadership had posted a lackluster scorecard since taking office. "Saying 'lackluster' seems far too elegant," she said. "As a member of the leadership, I am deeply sorry."

On the causes of the drop, Choi said the leadership had not conducted its own internal analysis, but offered her own assessment. "Expectations for the Lee Jae-myung government were very high, but those expectations are not being met," she said. "Things that could directly affect the property of many citizens — such as the comprehensive farmland survey — were pushed through far too hastily."

She pushed back on the view that internal party conflict over Kim Ji-yong, the nominee for director of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, was the main cause. "Many people point to that, but that is not it," she said. "The real cause is the sense of deprivation and hurt felt by the party's traditional base."

Choi pointed to recent polling showing a drop in support among progressive voters and those in their 40s, calling it "a sign of crisis." She added that divisions had emerged even within the party's own base. "A split has occurred among supporters, and differences have arisen over where to anchor the core constituency," she said. "I believe two strategies have already revealed themselves as a divergence in direction."

On the mood within the party, Choi said initial unity had given way to silence and deep concern. "At first we were marching in lockstep, but now people are staying quiet while worrying greatly," she said. "Approval ratings fluctuate, and the party leader is laying the groundwork — we have to hope the results turn out well."

Choi said the party needed an emergency plan to address the approval rating crisis, and called for pushing ahead with a special prosecutor investigation into alleged fabricated indictments and the impeachment of Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae. Dismissing concerns about a potential backlash, she said the ratings had already fallen as much as a backlash would cause. "The approval rating has already dropped that much precisely because we failed to do what needed to be done before it fell," she said.


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