President Yoon Suk-yeol’s approval rate has gone through something of a resurgence since the Itaewon tragedy, with his polling numbers climbing from 29% to 33% in the most recent Gallup Korea polling.

It’s a modest gain, barely outside the poll’s margin of error. And given the sheer number of events happening in Korea, it is difficult to tie those gains to any single factor. However, a 33% approval rating is his highest rating in nearly five months and coincides with the president presenting a harder-edged image.

First, Yoon singled out MBC and bannedthe outlet’s journalists from boarding Air