1 00:00:00,270 --> 00:00:02,569 Speaker 1: You're listening to AC N A podcast. 2 00:00:08,199 --> 00:00:10,769 Speaker 1: South Koreans head to the polls on April 10th in 3 00:00:10,779 --> 00:00:14,088 Speaker 1: a legislative election that could define President Yun Su Kyo 4 00:00:14,378 --> 00:00:17,538 Speaker 1: as a lame duck leader or give him a mandate 5 00:00:17,547 --> 00:00:21,339 Speaker 1: to push his party's agenda forward for the next three years. 6 00:00:21,468 --> 00:00:25,148 Speaker 1: President Yon has struggled after taking office with approval rating 7 00:00:25,159 --> 00:00:27,499 Speaker 1: falling for more than 50% at the start of his 8 00:00:27,509 --> 00:00:32,558 Speaker 1: term in 2022 to the low thirties in January this year. 9 00:00:33,209 --> 00:00:37,110 Speaker 1: But Mr Yon has found new political momentum from an 10 00:00:37,119 --> 00:00:41,130 Speaker 1: unlikely source, the country's striking doctors. 11 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:53,860 Speaker 1: You're listening to CN A correspondent, a podcast normally hosted 12 00:00:53,869 --> 00:00:58,090 Speaker 1: by Teresa Tang who is on vacation this week. I'm 13 00:00:58,099 --> 00:01:01,380 Speaker 1: Arnold Gay on the show. Today is Cna's career correspondent 14 00:01:01,389 --> 00:01:04,940 Speaker 1: Lim Yun Su who's been watching the standoff closely since 15 00:01:04,949 --> 00:01:06,620 Speaker 1: it started in February. 16 00:01:07,110 --> 00:01:09,220 Speaker 1: Yun Suk. Thank you very much for joining us today. 17 00:01:09,370 --> 00:01:12,180 Speaker 1: Good morning Arnold. Y I want to start by asking 18 00:01:12,190 --> 00:01:15,900 Speaker 1: you to briefly tell us, you know how a doctors 19 00:01:15,910 --> 00:01:20,429 Speaker 1: strike of all things has somehow transformed the political fortunes 20 00:01:20,440 --> 00:01:23,639 Speaker 1: of President Yun and his people Power Party. Well, 21 00:01:23,650 --> 00:01:26,080 Speaker 2: try to explain it briefly, but it is a very 22 00:01:26,089 --> 00:01:27,949 Speaker 2: complicated issue. Um 23 00:01:28,190 --> 00:01:30,470 Speaker 2: you know, and it seemed like, you know, just a 24 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:33,989 Speaker 2: strike by doctors unhappy with the government's policy of wanting 25 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:37,230 Speaker 2: to increase the number of spots at medical schools by 26 00:01:37,239 --> 00:01:40,879 Speaker 2: 2000 or so. Um That is the issue and, but 27 00:01:40,889 --> 00:01:43,819 Speaker 2: that is an issue that has become so huge and 28 00:01:43,830 --> 00:01:46,190 Speaker 2: right now it is working in favor of present yy 29 00:01:46,419 --> 00:01:50,019 Speaker 2: a ruling party now which some doctors and also some 30 00:01:50,029 --> 00:01:52,489 Speaker 2: analysts claim is the reason why the 31 00:01:53,045 --> 00:01:56,365 Speaker 2: announced its plan just ahead of the elections because the 32 00:01:56,375 --> 00:01:58,585 Speaker 2: government and the ruling party knew that this was going 33 00:01:58,596 --> 00:02:01,886 Speaker 2: to help them help their chances of winning this election. 34 00:02:01,896 --> 00:02:04,746 Speaker 2: And in fact, you know, surveys do show President Yin 35 00:02:05,265 --> 00:02:09,065 Speaker 2: Sonya's approval ratings go higher because of this. Now, there 36 00:02:09,076 --> 00:02:11,666 Speaker 2: was this one survey which showed his approval ratings go 37 00:02:11,675 --> 00:02:17,126 Speaker 2: up to 41.9% from 39.5% just in that one week 38 00:02:17,222 --> 00:02:21,332 Speaker 2: after the trainers, doctors started the walkout and people we 39 00:02:21,341 --> 00:02:23,522 Speaker 2: speak to out in the streets, they feel that the 40 00:02:23,531 --> 00:02:26,332 Speaker 2: country needs more doctors. And so they are in favor 41 00:02:26,341 --> 00:02:29,591 Speaker 2: of President Yun's policy. And I think it is very 42 00:02:29,602 --> 00:02:31,582 Speaker 2: likely that we will see this being shown in the 43 00:02:31,591 --> 00:02:32,091 Speaker 2: election 44 00:02:32,102 --> 00:02:34,651 Speaker 1: next week. And you did mention at the start that 45 00:02:34,662 --> 00:02:37,861 Speaker 1: it's a bit more complex than just about medical enrollment. 46 00:02:37,871 --> 00:02:41,091 Speaker 1: So what are the other factors which also come into play? 47 00:02:41,111 --> 00:02:41,332 Speaker 1: Yun Su? 48 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:45,679 Speaker 2: Well, apart from the doctor's issue I think, you know, 49 00:02:45,690 --> 00:02:48,250 Speaker 2: his handling of this doctor strike is definitely going to 50 00:02:48,258 --> 00:02:51,380 Speaker 2: be an issue. But there's only really one because analysts 51 00:02:51,389 --> 00:02:54,869 Speaker 2: here are also saying that other issues, one of them 52 00:02:54,880 --> 00:02:57,300 Speaker 2: could be the way that he's been reaching out to 53 00:02:57,309 --> 00:03:00,788 Speaker 2: the ordinary Koreans in recent weeks. He has done a 54 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:03,820 Speaker 2: lot of town hall meetings. In fact, he's done about 55 00:03:03,830 --> 00:03:07,059 Speaker 2: 18 since the start of this year and he has 56 00:03:07,070 --> 00:03:07,978 Speaker 2: been going around 57 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:13,460 Speaker 2: country talking about different issues relevant to that area, the region, 58 00:03:13,470 --> 00:03:17,089 Speaker 2: the people like, for example, he was proposing lifting some 59 00:03:17,100 --> 00:03:21,000 Speaker 2: of the restrictions on areas near the military facilities so 60 00:03:21,008 --> 00:03:24,190 Speaker 2: that that region can develop or he was talking about 61 00:03:24,199 --> 00:03:27,740 Speaker 2: offering more scholarships to college students. And so it seems 62 00:03:27,750 --> 00:03:29,538 Speaker 2: like he has been talking about a lot of the 63 00:03:29,550 --> 00:03:32,570 Speaker 2: issues that are close to the hearts of the voters 64 00:03:32,580 --> 00:03:34,059 Speaker 2: and that seemed to be working 65 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 2: and he has in a way stayed away from any 66 00:03:36,369 --> 00:03:39,919 Speaker 2: of the partisan conflicts which, you know, Koreans are really 67 00:03:39,929 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 2: fed up of hearing. And some analysts here are saying 68 00:03:42,970 --> 00:03:45,589 Speaker 2: that it seems to be working, you know, and who 69 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:47,979 Speaker 2: doesn't like a president, you know, who's trying to, to 70 00:03:47,990 --> 00:03:51,220 Speaker 2: help the region develop and it's trying to help the people. 71 00:03:51,500 --> 00:03:53,399 Speaker 1: I just want to go back to the point you 72 00:03:53,410 --> 00:03:56,860 Speaker 1: were making about this being very deliberate. So this was 73 00:03:56,869 --> 00:04:00,139 Speaker 1: something the young administration has studied very carefully 74 00:04:00,470 --> 00:04:05,360 Speaker 1: and timed it to be announced perfectly. As well just 75 00:04:05,369 --> 00:04:08,369 Speaker 1: ahead of the elections which are coming up. 76 00:04:08,610 --> 00:04:11,330 Speaker 2: You know, I can't say, I don't know for sure. 77 00:04:11,339 --> 00:04:13,770 Speaker 2: You know, I've spoken to the analysts and the doctors 78 00:04:13,779 --> 00:04:16,209 Speaker 2: who are on strike say yes, that's what's the case. 79 00:04:16,220 --> 00:04:19,260 Speaker 2: But you know, the answers really vary depending on who 80 00:04:19,269 --> 00:04:22,559 Speaker 2: you speak to the doctors uh supporting. This will be 81 00:04:22,570 --> 00:04:25,428 Speaker 2: saying that. But, you know, the government is saying that 82 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:28,429 Speaker 2: this is a move that they needed to do a policy, 83 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:29,488 Speaker 2: they needed to carry out 84 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,640 Speaker 2: for many years, except it was something that all previous 85 00:04:32,649 --> 00:04:36,010 Speaker 2: leaders didn't want to tackle because of the impact it 86 00:04:36,019 --> 00:04:38,950 Speaker 2: could have on the medical industry and also because of 87 00:04:38,959 --> 00:04:41,779 Speaker 2: a possible doctors strike. And so this was something that 88 00:04:41,790 --> 00:04:44,459 Speaker 2: all I think previous leaders knew they had to do 89 00:04:44,470 --> 00:04:47,140 Speaker 2: but wasn't sure how to go about it. In fact, 90 00:04:47,149 --> 00:04:49,988 Speaker 2: this is the first increase in South Korea in more 91 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:52,589 Speaker 2: than 20 years or so. And so President Yun, so 92 00:04:52,820 --> 00:04:55,349 Speaker 2: y you know, he's been a prosecutor all his life 93 00:04:55,359 --> 00:04:58,618 Speaker 2: before he became president. He was the prosecutor general. And 94 00:04:58,730 --> 00:05:01,380 Speaker 2: um so, you know, he is the type to push 95 00:05:01,390 --> 00:05:04,829 Speaker 2: ahead with whatever policies he feel that he needs to. 96 00:05:05,029 --> 00:05:07,880 Speaker 2: And we've seen him, you know, deal very sterling with 97 00:05:07,890 --> 00:05:11,630 Speaker 2: illegal actions in the past when there were strikes by 98 00:05:11,640 --> 00:05:14,750 Speaker 2: the truckers here in South Korea. He still went ahead 99 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:17,890 Speaker 2: with his tough sense and so many people feel that 100 00:05:17,899 --> 00:05:20,920 Speaker 2: he felt that he could do this job and that's 101 00:05:20,928 --> 00:05:23,229 Speaker 2: why the government felt that they needed to push ahead 102 00:05:23,238 --> 00:05:25,469 Speaker 2: with this policy. And whether it was time for the 103 00:05:25,480 --> 00:05:27,769 Speaker 2: election or not, it's hard to tell. 104 00:05:28,049 --> 00:05:31,290 Speaker 1: Is there a danger that he may push a little 105 00:05:31,299 --> 00:05:33,660 Speaker 1: bit too hard because we've spoken to a number of people. 106 00:05:33,670 --> 00:05:36,899 Speaker 1: One of them is Professor Andrew Kim from Korea University. 107 00:05:36,910 --> 00:05:39,429 Speaker 1: I'm sure you know him and he had this warning 108 00:05:39,549 --> 00:05:41,950 Speaker 1: from the government or for the government. I should say 109 00:05:42,559 --> 00:05:46,250 Speaker 1: what I noticed more recently is that public 110 00:05:46,660 --> 00:05:52,720 Speaker 1: which showed a very big support for the government action 111 00:05:52,730 --> 00:05:57,220 Speaker 1: is starting to voice its concern that maybe the government's 112 00:05:57,230 --> 00:06:02,000 Speaker 1: handling of the whole situation was not the best way. 113 00:06:03,019 --> 00:06:05,789 Speaker 1: So do you see any awareness of this growing sentiment? 114 00:06:05,799 --> 00:06:08,549 Speaker 1: I mean, is there, is there a tipping point you 115 00:06:08,559 --> 00:06:11,480 Speaker 1: think that could have the public say, you know, I 116 00:06:11,488 --> 00:06:14,510 Speaker 1: think you've done, you've gone too far, it's time to 117 00:06:14,738 --> 00:06:17,239 Speaker 1: ease back a little bit, give the doctors a bit 118 00:06:17,250 --> 00:06:20,118 Speaker 1: of slack and perhaps look at the quota number again. 119 00:06:20,399 --> 00:06:23,459 Speaker 2: I think so. I think the analyst professor could be right, 120 00:06:23,470 --> 00:06:26,119 Speaker 2: because this is something that's been going on for more 121 00:06:26,130 --> 00:06:28,559 Speaker 2: than a month now in the beginning. You know, like 122 00:06:28,570 --> 00:06:31,049 Speaker 2: I said earlier, people were in favor of this hardline 123 00:06:31,059 --> 00:06:34,799 Speaker 2: stance that the government was taking but with no solution 124 00:06:34,809 --> 00:06:37,709 Speaker 2: in sight, the attempts and no attempts by the government 125 00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:40,899 Speaker 2: to try and reach some kind of a compromise with 126 00:06:40,910 --> 00:06:43,250 Speaker 2: the doctors. I think a lot of South Koreans are 127 00:06:43,260 --> 00:06:45,700 Speaker 2: now starting to wonder if the government really 128 00:06:45,928 --> 00:06:48,950 Speaker 2: has any intention to resolve this or if this was 129 00:06:48,959 --> 00:06:52,290 Speaker 2: really just an, you know, election policy. I think it's 130 00:06:52,299 --> 00:06:55,619 Speaker 2: possible that the government may try to come up forward 131 00:06:55,630 --> 00:06:57,350 Speaker 2: and say, let's try to see if we can reach 132 00:06:57,359 --> 00:07:00,609 Speaker 2: some kind of a compromise because many analysts are saying 133 00:07:00,619 --> 00:07:02,969 Speaker 2: that this could really then work in favor of the 134 00:07:02,980 --> 00:07:05,659 Speaker 2: ruling party. But you know, we'll have to wait and see. 135 00:07:05,670 --> 00:07:08,238 Speaker 2: But it's true that a lot of Koreans here are 136 00:07:08,250 --> 00:07:09,099 Speaker 2: fed up with this, 137 00:07:09,290 --> 00:07:12,179 Speaker 2: right? But also with the government not being able to 138 00:07:12,190 --> 00:07:15,269 Speaker 2: do anything about this and bring normalcy back to the 139 00:07:15,279 --> 00:07:16,500 Speaker 2: operating tables. 140 00:07:16,989 --> 00:07:20,649 Speaker 1: So let's talk about numbers. Now 2000 is the number 141 00:07:20,660 --> 00:07:23,910 Speaker 1: that the government wants every year. Is there a magic 142 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:27,470 Speaker 1: number though? Again, you know, the opinions seem to vary 143 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:30,559 Speaker 1: quite a bit. We have spoken to professor Kwan Sun 144 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:34,820 Speaker 1: Man from Seoul National Uni about the medical school quota. 145 00:07:34,829 --> 00:07:36,459 Speaker 1: And here's what he thinks 146 00:07:36,929 --> 00:07:40,790 Speaker 1: different parties have different opinion. For example, Korean Medical Association, 147 00:07:40,799 --> 00:07:45,339 Speaker 1: they think there's no shortage of doctors at all. Whereas 148 00:07:45,350 --> 00:07:50,679 Speaker 1: those working in those uh teaching hospitals, tertiary hospitals, basically 149 00:07:50,839 --> 00:07:55,149 Speaker 1: uh professors in the medical school, clinicians, they think that 150 00:07:55,160 --> 00:07:58,630 Speaker 1: we need some more doctors. But the 2000 more doctors 151 00:07:58,640 --> 00:07:59,958 Speaker 1: as as governments proposed, 152 00:08:00,494 --> 00:08:04,304 Speaker 1: that's too much. So they proposed that more reasonable amount 153 00:08:04,315 --> 00:08:07,415 Speaker 1: an increase in the supply of doctors is about 500. 154 00:08:07,424 --> 00:08:10,804 Speaker 1: Where is that? Some general public think that we need 155 00:08:10,815 --> 00:08:15,054 Speaker 1: a big increase in doctors. So different people have different ideas. 156 00:08:15,515 --> 00:08:18,575 Speaker 1: So 500 you know, that's a number that Professor Andy 157 00:08:18,584 --> 00:08:21,255 Speaker 1: Kim mentioned as well. 158 00:08:21,690 --> 00:08:25,239 Speaker 1: Where are we, are we at some consensus about what 159 00:08:25,250 --> 00:08:27,549 Speaker 1: should be, I suppose an interim number? I 160 00:08:27,559 --> 00:08:30,269 Speaker 2: think the numbers will stay as it is, it is 161 00:08:30,279 --> 00:08:33,369 Speaker 2: something that the Education Ministry has also announced. And so 162 00:08:33,380 --> 00:08:35,909 Speaker 2: I don't think they can do anything about the number. 163 00:08:35,919 --> 00:08:38,020 Speaker 2: But what we have seen is that, you know, the 164 00:08:38,030 --> 00:08:40,309 Speaker 2: doctors strike some of them when they were striking, they're 165 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:43,750 Speaker 2: saying that a lot of the doctors, they're all focused 166 00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:44,530 Speaker 2: here in the central 167 00:08:44,650 --> 00:08:47,500 Speaker 2: Seoul area. And so what the Education Ministry has done 168 00:08:47,510 --> 00:08:50,630 Speaker 2: is try to, to allow more of the entry into 169 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:53,219 Speaker 2: some of the universities in the other areas and not 170 00:08:53,229 --> 00:08:56,150 Speaker 2: here in the capital Seoul or the surrounding areas here. 171 00:08:56,159 --> 00:08:58,960 Speaker 2: And so I think they are aware of the issues 172 00:08:58,969 --> 00:09:01,789 Speaker 2: and the, and the topics that the doctors have brought up. 173 00:09:01,799 --> 00:09:04,000 Speaker 2: So they're trying to see what they can do about that, 174 00:09:04,010 --> 00:09:06,320 Speaker 2: but I don't think the numbers will change. It's going 175 00:09:06,330 --> 00:09:07,549 Speaker 2: to stay at 2000. 176 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:12,098 Speaker 1: Ok. And what are the opposition parties saying about the 177 00:09:12,109 --> 00:09:13,109 Speaker 1: whole issue? They, 178 00:09:13,460 --> 00:09:16,679 Speaker 1: I imagine would be tracking opinion polls as well and 179 00:09:16,690 --> 00:09:18,959 Speaker 1: aware that this could be an issue for them in 180 00:09:18,969 --> 00:09:21,099 Speaker 1: terms of the drop in, in support for them. 181 00:09:21,630 --> 00:09:25,200 Speaker 2: Definitely, you know, it's surprising how the opposition party have 182 00:09:25,210 --> 00:09:28,489 Speaker 2: really not come up with any plans for this. And 183 00:09:28,500 --> 00:09:31,669 Speaker 2: in fact, they support the government's plan to increase the 184 00:09:31,679 --> 00:09:35,380 Speaker 2: number of emissions, they think that is needed. And what 185 00:09:35,390 --> 00:09:37,330 Speaker 2: they're saying is that they think that the government should 186 00:09:37,340 --> 00:09:39,478 Speaker 2: try to at least talk to doctors and come up 187 00:09:39,489 --> 00:09:40,000 Speaker 2: with some kind of 188 00:09:40,075 --> 00:09:43,954 Speaker 2: compromise, but because they're in support of the government, they 189 00:09:43,965 --> 00:09:46,934 Speaker 2: can't go against this policy. And so they haven't really 190 00:09:46,945 --> 00:09:49,875 Speaker 2: been able to make much use of this for them 191 00:09:49,885 --> 00:09:50,804 Speaker 2: in this election 192 00:09:50,905 --> 00:09:54,054 Speaker 1: before the doctors walked off. We heard about the do 193 00:09:54,065 --> 00:09:57,695 Speaker 1: back scandal involving the president's wife that caused a lot 194 00:09:57,705 --> 00:10:01,434 Speaker 1: of anger. There was the, obviously the, the tragic Halloween 195 00:10:01,445 --> 00:10:03,853 Speaker 1: crush back in 2022 196 00:10:04,229 --> 00:10:06,859 Speaker 1: that saw a lot of deaths and only recently did 197 00:10:06,869 --> 00:10:10,500 Speaker 1: we have one senior official charged. I mean, are all 198 00:10:10,510 --> 00:10:12,939 Speaker 1: these forgotten now already? 199 00:10:13,140 --> 00:10:15,090 Speaker 2: Well, you know, we have a saying here in Korea 200 00:10:15,099 --> 00:10:19,479 Speaker 2: that Koreans forget very quickly, um, they get very emotional 201 00:10:19,489 --> 00:10:22,738 Speaker 2: when something happens and then they forget. Um, and unfortunately, yes, 202 00:10:22,750 --> 00:10:25,450 Speaker 2: I think the Halloween crush is something that a lot 203 00:10:25,460 --> 00:10:25,739 Speaker 2: of people 204 00:10:25,852 --> 00:10:28,223 Speaker 2: not thinking about when they go to the polls. But 205 00:10:28,232 --> 00:10:31,742 Speaker 2: I think the deer bag that back scandal is still 206 00:10:31,752 --> 00:10:34,681 Speaker 2: something on the minds of voters. And I think it 207 00:10:34,692 --> 00:10:36,652 Speaker 2: is going to have some kind of an impact in 208 00:10:36,663 --> 00:10:40,362 Speaker 2: this election. Especially among the young voters here in Korea. 209 00:10:40,482 --> 00:10:44,223 Speaker 2: Korea is want an explanation, you know, an investigation into 210 00:10:44,232 --> 00:10:47,473 Speaker 2: this like with all other corruption cases here in South Korea. 211 00:10:47,695 --> 00:10:50,845 Speaker 2: And they believe that if ordinary Koreans are not able 212 00:10:50,856 --> 00:10:54,194 Speaker 2: to get away with any corruption or or any crimes, 213 00:10:54,205 --> 00:10:56,395 Speaker 2: then the first lady should not be given allowed to 214 00:10:56,405 --> 00:10:58,306 Speaker 2: get away too. So I think this is going to 215 00:10:58,315 --> 00:11:01,486 Speaker 2: be a critical factor in the election and it may 216 00:11:01,495 --> 00:11:03,606 Speaker 2: show in the election results. And can you 217 00:11:03,616 --> 00:11:07,245 Speaker 1: explain to us why South Koreans have such a low 218 00:11:07,416 --> 00:11:09,195 Speaker 1: threshold for corruption, 219 00:11:09,869 --> 00:11:13,280 Speaker 2: don't, you know, everybody around the world. And then it's, 220 00:11:13,289 --> 00:11:15,450 Speaker 2: you know, South Korea has seen a lot of corrupted 221 00:11:15,460 --> 00:11:18,150 Speaker 2: governments in the past. I remember the time when we 222 00:11:18,159 --> 00:11:21,659 Speaker 2: had the former president Park Geun Hye and there's corruption 223 00:11:21,669 --> 00:11:24,770 Speaker 2: involved then too. And South Koreas went out to the 224 00:11:24,780 --> 00:11:27,849 Speaker 2: streets and they were, you know, rallying and in fact, 225 00:11:27,859 --> 00:11:29,789 Speaker 2: it was the first time that South Koreans were able 226 00:11:29,799 --> 00:11:33,010 Speaker 2: to impeach the president. And so I think South Koreans 227 00:11:33,020 --> 00:11:36,460 Speaker 2: believe that they want equal stance. If they can't do 228 00:11:36,469 --> 00:11:37,049 Speaker 2: something 229 00:11:37,135 --> 00:11:40,474 Speaker 2: against the law, then they believe that the government shouldn't. 230 00:11:40,484 --> 00:11:43,075 Speaker 2: And it's the people's job to make sure that the 231 00:11:43,085 --> 00:11:46,174 Speaker 2: government doesn't do that. And so yeah, it's true now 232 00:11:46,184 --> 00:11:47,905 Speaker 2: that you say that it is true. I think we 233 00:11:47,914 --> 00:11:51,054 Speaker 2: have very low tolerance for corruption here in Korea and 234 00:11:51,065 --> 00:11:52,674 Speaker 1: this is a factor as well because we know that 235 00:11:52,684 --> 00:11:56,075 Speaker 1: the opposition leader Lee Jae Myung is also, you know, 236 00:11:56,085 --> 00:12:00,473 Speaker 1: facing corruption charges, is that an issue in terms of 237 00:12:00,484 --> 00:12:04,314 Speaker 1: the popularity of the opposition parties for one thing 238 00:12:04,669 --> 00:12:08,289 Speaker 1: and the other, I suppose issues which might be related 239 00:12:08,299 --> 00:12:13,299 Speaker 1: is how he's handled the entire, if you like episode, 240 00:12:13,309 --> 00:12:16,090 Speaker 1: not just about the doctors strike, but going back a 241 00:12:16,099 --> 00:12:18,929 Speaker 1: little bit further as well. I mean, is part of 242 00:12:18,940 --> 00:12:21,710 Speaker 1: the reason they haven't been doing so well down to 243 00:12:21,719 --> 00:12:23,289 Speaker 1: what he's done and not done. 244 00:12:24,059 --> 00:12:27,989 Speaker 2: I think so, especially because right now he is under trial, 245 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:32,349 Speaker 2: he is attending court hearings for his own corruption charges. 246 00:12:32,359 --> 00:12:35,599 Speaker 2: And so I think he has lost a lot of 247 00:12:35,609 --> 00:12:39,069 Speaker 2: his voters here in South Korea. Remember he's the one 248 00:12:39,080 --> 00:12:42,950 Speaker 2: who ran against President Yun Song in the last presidential election. 249 00:12:43,130 --> 00:12:46,630 Speaker 2: And you know, he lost with a very, very slow margin. 250 00:12:46,729 --> 00:12:49,039 Speaker 2: And so he was very popular then, but because 251 00:12:49,135 --> 00:12:51,934 Speaker 2: of this corruption cases against him, I think he has 252 00:12:51,945 --> 00:12:54,614 Speaker 2: lost a lot of that. And right now, there's been 253 00:12:54,625 --> 00:12:59,515 Speaker 2: a lot of internal struggling, internal fights even within the party, 254 00:12:59,525 --> 00:13:04,015 Speaker 2: mainly because of Y Jeong. There were many who trusted him, 255 00:13:04,145 --> 00:13:06,924 Speaker 2: but then there were also many of the members who 256 00:13:06,934 --> 00:13:09,765 Speaker 2: joined that party because of the former president Moon Jae 257 00:13:09,905 --> 00:13:13,174 Speaker 2: in the liberal President Moon Jae in. And now within 258 00:13:13,184 --> 00:13:14,114 Speaker 2: that party, you have 259 00:13:14,210 --> 00:13:17,679 Speaker 2: different groups, different people who feel that he should step down. 260 00:13:17,690 --> 00:13:20,890 Speaker 2: Ejm should step down because of his trials and because 261 00:13:20,900 --> 00:13:23,789 Speaker 2: of this corruption charges against him because they know that 262 00:13:23,799 --> 00:13:27,700 Speaker 2: Koreans will not allow that and, but he hasn't stepped down. 263 00:13:27,710 --> 00:13:32,109 Speaker 2: And so those who felt that they've had enough have 264 00:13:32,119 --> 00:13:35,349 Speaker 2: just left that party and decided to form their own. 265 00:13:35,359 --> 00:13:38,280 Speaker 2: And also those who feel that, you know, even though 266 00:13:38,289 --> 00:13:39,189 Speaker 2: they do support 267 00:13:39,284 --> 00:13:42,284 Speaker 2: in a way, they're afraid that they could lose because 268 00:13:42,294 --> 00:13:46,234 Speaker 2: of those corruption charges against EJ me. So it's difficult 269 00:13:46,244 --> 00:13:48,775 Speaker 2: but he seems very certain he is going to stay on. 270 00:13:48,784 --> 00:13:50,224 Speaker 2: And so we'll see how it turns out. 271 00:13:50,335 --> 00:13:53,314 Speaker 1: Ok, talk to us about those breakaway parties. You just mentioned, 272 00:13:53,325 --> 00:13:56,335 Speaker 1: I mean, how important are they going to be? Because 273 00:13:56,344 --> 00:13:58,684 Speaker 1: we know that, you know, the polls are saying that 274 00:13:58,695 --> 00:14:03,353 Speaker 1: there is public discontent with both the PPP as well 275 00:14:03,364 --> 00:14:04,224 Speaker 1: as the DP. 276 00:14:04,700 --> 00:14:07,549 Speaker 2: Well, yes, you know, here in Korea is usually dominated 277 00:14:07,559 --> 00:14:11,570 Speaker 2: by two main parties and they hold 250 seats in 278 00:14:11,580 --> 00:14:16,239 Speaker 2: the 300 member parliament, but both parties have been grappling 279 00:14:16,250 --> 00:14:19,219 Speaker 2: with internal struggles, not just the opposition, but also the 280 00:14:19,229 --> 00:14:23,090 Speaker 2: ruling party. And so they have resulted in new breakaway 281 00:14:23,099 --> 00:14:26,049 Speaker 2: parties um making gains. In fact, we have shown the 282 00:14:26,059 --> 00:14:30,210 Speaker 2: service lately, for example, we have this young leader agent. 283 00:14:30,270 --> 00:14:30,289 Speaker 2: So 284 00:14:30,700 --> 00:14:34,330 Speaker 2: the former chairman of the ruling party, he has formed 285 00:14:34,340 --> 00:14:37,479 Speaker 2: a new party here called the New Reform Party with 286 00:14:37,489 --> 00:14:42,320 Speaker 2: other members against the Pro Yong Y faction because they 287 00:14:42,330 --> 00:14:46,510 Speaker 2: believe that this government should investigate those allegations against the 288 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:47,479 Speaker 2: first lady. 289 00:14:47,820 --> 00:14:51,000 Speaker 2: And so they bolted out and now they're gaining support, 290 00:14:51,010 --> 00:14:54,210 Speaker 2: especially from the younger voters here in South Korea also 291 00:14:54,219 --> 00:14:57,000 Speaker 2: because Ye Jin Sok, you know, he's a young popular 292 00:14:57,010 --> 00:15:02,159 Speaker 2: candidate here among South Koreans and also in the opposition party. 293 00:15:02,340 --> 00:15:06,479 Speaker 2: There's a similar challenge as the former Prime Minister Eagon 294 00:15:06,489 --> 00:15:09,580 Speaker 2: under the previous government of Moon Jae in has formed 295 00:15:09,590 --> 00:15:12,500 Speaker 2: a new party too. And you know, these are people 296 00:15:12,510 --> 00:15:15,580 Speaker 2: who are against the democratic leader, y Je Myong, who 297 00:15:15,590 --> 00:15:17,440 Speaker 2: they believe should be stepping down because 298 00:15:17,520 --> 00:15:20,690 Speaker 2: the criminal charges against him. So it'll be interesting to see, 299 00:15:20,700 --> 00:15:23,520 Speaker 2: you know how the smaller parties do. We haven't seen 300 00:15:23,530 --> 00:15:25,419 Speaker 2: a lot of them in the past. In fact, there 301 00:15:25,429 --> 00:15:27,559 Speaker 2: are very strong figures like who used to be the 302 00:15:27,570 --> 00:15:31,239 Speaker 2: former leaders of the political parties. And so we'll have 303 00:15:31,250 --> 00:15:33,020 Speaker 2: to see how they do, but it will be very 304 00:15:33,030 --> 00:15:34,010 Speaker 2: interesting to see 305 00:15:34,429 --> 00:15:37,489 Speaker 1: and are they going to be distinct voting blocks, the 306 00:15:37,500 --> 00:15:40,729 Speaker 1: younger voting block, the older voting block perhaps, you know, 307 00:15:40,739 --> 00:15:44,859 Speaker 1: voters who are more tuned to gender based issues as 308 00:15:44,869 --> 00:15:47,119 Speaker 1: has happened in previous elections before as well? 309 00:15:47,780 --> 00:15:50,520 Speaker 2: I think so the fact that you have the strong 310 00:15:50,530 --> 00:15:54,260 Speaker 2: smaller parties now and we're talking about people, you know, who, 311 00:15:54,270 --> 00:15:57,219 Speaker 2: who were in the spotlight, who were famous here in 312 00:15:57,229 --> 00:16:00,239 Speaker 2: Korea because they were the Prime Minister, the leader of 313 00:16:00,250 --> 00:16:01,380 Speaker 2: the former party. 314 00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:05,250 Speaker 2: I think it's possible even among the older generation who 315 00:16:05,260 --> 00:16:08,900 Speaker 2: are very conservatives to feel like maybe yo soy is 316 00:16:08,909 --> 00:16:11,780 Speaker 2: not a party, the ruling party, the main ruling party 317 00:16:11,789 --> 00:16:14,020 Speaker 2: may not be the party for me and they may 318 00:16:14,030 --> 00:16:16,530 Speaker 2: go to the smaller party and you know, give their 319 00:16:16,539 --> 00:16:19,700 Speaker 2: votes because I think it all boils down to the 320 00:16:19,710 --> 00:16:23,539 Speaker 2: corruption charges the allegations and that, you know, we talked 321 00:16:23,549 --> 00:16:25,780 Speaker 2: about it how important it is to South Korean 322 00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:28,859 Speaker 2: uh for the younger voters service have shown that they 323 00:16:28,869 --> 00:16:31,969 Speaker 2: really are the swing voters here in South Korea. And 324 00:16:31,979 --> 00:16:34,900 Speaker 2: it's possible that any issues that crop up between now 325 00:16:34,909 --> 00:16:38,260 Speaker 2: and the election will impact those young voters because I 326 00:16:38,270 --> 00:16:40,440 Speaker 2: don't think a lot of them know which party they 327 00:16:40,450 --> 00:16:42,830 Speaker 2: want to go to now, but they will really decide 328 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:44,820 Speaker 2: just a few days or even on election 329 00:16:44,830 --> 00:16:49,659 Speaker 1: day and it would be based on the issues mainly. Right. Understood. 330 00:16:49,969 --> 00:16:53,739 Speaker 1: Ok. You, so what's campaigning normally like in South Korea? 331 00:16:53,750 --> 00:16:56,039 Speaker 1: I never seen one before. I mean, obviously I followed 332 00:16:56,049 --> 00:16:59,270 Speaker 1: it as a journalist. Nothing quite like being on the ground. 333 00:16:59,280 --> 00:17:02,710 Speaker 1: Are they, are they noisy, colorful and chaotic? Are they, 334 00:17:02,890 --> 00:17:06,550 Speaker 1: you know, controlled, sober and organized events 335 00:17:06,739 --> 00:17:09,639 Speaker 2: organized here in Korea? No, no, no. You know, you 336 00:17:09,650 --> 00:17:10,899 Speaker 2: should come and see one there 337 00:17:11,052 --> 00:17:14,902 Speaker 2: loud, they're colorful. You know, usually like you'll be seeing 338 00:17:14,912 --> 00:17:19,082 Speaker 2: vans and trucks decked in election gear and they'll be 339 00:17:19,093 --> 00:17:23,151 Speaker 2: going around different areas with loud speakers and you'll be 340 00:17:23,162 --> 00:17:27,311 Speaker 2: hearing the candidates being nonstop and the person's vision, you know, 341 00:17:27,321 --> 00:17:29,802 Speaker 2: what the candidate is going to do and you hear 342 00:17:29,811 --> 00:17:32,022 Speaker 2: this in the, on the loudspeakers all, 343 00:17:32,326 --> 00:17:34,956 Speaker 2: you know, or sometimes in the daytime they would go 344 00:17:34,965 --> 00:17:38,086 Speaker 2: around with their megaphones on their trucks and then they 345 00:17:38,095 --> 00:17:40,656 Speaker 2: would stop at a main street or somewhere where there's 346 00:17:40,666 --> 00:17:43,004 Speaker 2: a lot of people and they'll be pending out flyers 347 00:17:43,015 --> 00:17:45,036 Speaker 2: and all that. So it's lots of fun. You see 348 00:17:45,046 --> 00:17:47,176 Speaker 2: a lot of dancing too, you know, a lot of 349 00:17:47,186 --> 00:17:50,234 Speaker 2: singing by South Korea. So lots happening here in Korea 350 00:17:50,244 --> 00:17:52,556 Speaker 2: during the election and you definitely have to come see 351 00:17:52,566 --> 00:17:53,076 Speaker 2: one day. 352 00:17:53,609 --> 00:17:55,719 Speaker 1: Ok, I'll do that. And if you're in South Korea, 353 00:17:55,729 --> 00:17:58,469 Speaker 1: you definitely know campaigning is taking place by the sounds 354 00:17:58,479 --> 00:18:01,540 Speaker 1: of it. Final question. Yun. So before we let you go, 355 00:18:01,550 --> 00:18:04,938 Speaker 1: does it get nasty, the politics in South Korea the 356 00:18:04,949 --> 00:18:07,929 Speaker 1: way it might get in, in America in the US, 357 00:18:07,939 --> 00:18:08,540 Speaker 1: for example, 358 00:18:09,199 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 2: nasty here. You know, I think so. I mean, you 359 00:18:12,010 --> 00:18:14,739 Speaker 2: see what's going on in the Korean local TV now 360 00:18:14,750 --> 00:18:17,619 Speaker 2: and all the debates and people talking, I think it does. 361 00:18:17,630 --> 00:18:17,979 Speaker 2: I mean, 362 00:18:18,180 --> 00:18:20,280 Speaker 2: and a lot of it is not really about the 363 00:18:20,290 --> 00:18:23,900 Speaker 2: issues or how it's going to affect South Koreans to voters, 364 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:26,899 Speaker 2: but it's really, you know, mussing here and there and 365 00:18:26,910 --> 00:18:29,839 Speaker 2: bringing up, you know, people's personal past and trying to 366 00:18:29,849 --> 00:18:32,319 Speaker 2: do everything they can to win those votes. But I 367 00:18:32,329 --> 00:18:34,930 Speaker 2: think a lot of Koreans now for them is really, 368 00:18:34,939 --> 00:18:38,359 Speaker 2: I guess, like everywhere, it's really the, the economy, how, 369 00:18:38,369 --> 00:18:40,770 Speaker 2: how they are able to survive and how much they 370 00:18:40,780 --> 00:18:43,680 Speaker 2: are able to make and all those issues that will 371 00:18:43,689 --> 00:18:45,958 Speaker 2: determine who wins in this election. 372 00:18:46,459 --> 00:18:49,479 Speaker 1: Very interesting. Yun, thank you very much. 373 00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:52,718 Speaker 2: Thank you Arnold. And you know, we'll have presidential election 374 00:18:52,729 --> 00:18:55,660 Speaker 2: in 2027. So come to Korea for that, 375 00:18:56,790 --> 00:18:58,969 Speaker 1: a quick note to tell you that you can catch 376 00:18:58,979 --> 00:19:01,869 Speaker 1: reports from all our correspondents on cna's youtube channel and 377 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:05,790 Speaker 1: CN A dot Asia. And a reminder that the TV 378 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:09,899 Speaker 1: episodes of CN A correspondent air every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. 379 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:14,419 Speaker 1: The team behind this week's edition is Syw Clara Christina 380 00:19:14,430 --> 00:19:18,790 Speaker 1: Robert Craig, Dale Tiffany and myself Arnold Gay. Thank you 381 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:19,649 Speaker 1: for joining us.