March 27, 2023

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karl Friedhoff

Karl Friedhoff is the Marshall M. Bouton Fellow for Asia Studies at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

Analysis

Yoon’s support stands firm despite South Korean opposition to forced labor deal

President’s conservative base backs agreement with Japan, showing Yoon has free hand to pursue foreign policy vision

Karl FriedhoffKarl FriedhoffMarch 13, 2023
Analysis

Polling mirage? Yoon Suk-yeol’s rising approval rates may not be what they seem

New survey puts South Korean president’s popularity at 8-month high but may not provide sound basis for policy decisions

Karl FriedhoffKarl FriedhoffMarch 9, 2023
Analysis

Lee Jae-myung could make strong push for presidency if he can overcome scandals

Early poll suggests South Koreans prefer Democratic leader as next political leader, but caveats abound

Karl FriedhoffKarl FriedhoffFebruary 9, 2023
Analysis

Yoon Suk-yeol faces headwinds as he seeks to shore up support through reforms

South Korean public is lukewarm about changes like extending work week, but Yoon likely sees value in taking harder line

Karl FriedhoffKarl FriedhoffJanuary 30, 2023
Analysis

Yoon sees approval rate bump after adopting harder-edged image

Banning press from presidential plane and response to truckers’ strike likely played to Yoon’s conservative base

Karl FriedhoffKarl FriedhoffDecember 12, 2022
Analysis

As reunification hopes fade, South Koreans favor US alliance more than ever

Anti-Americanism largely a thing of the past, though both ROK left and right favor indigenous nuclear program

Karl FriedhoffKarl FriedhoffNovember 21, 2022
Analysis

Polls indicate public may blame local authorities for Itaewon tragedy, not Yoon

South Korean leader’s approval rates have held steady since deadly crowd crush, and he may see opening to attack police

Karl FriedhoffKarl FriedhoffNovember 8, 2022
Analysis

Redeploying US tactical nukes may not go far enough for South Koreans

New poll finds public lukewarm on idea, despite long-standing support for an indigenous nuclear program

Karl FriedhoffKarl FriedhoffOctober 20, 2022
Analysis

The South Korean public doesn’t buy Yoon’s narrative on hot mic moment

President’s approval rate has recovered, but majority see his criticism of broadcaster’s reporting as media suppression

Karl FriedhoffKarl FriedhoffOctober 12, 2022
Analysis

Why Yoon Suk-yeol’s failings at home hamstring his foreign policy

The president has been unable to create momentum and change the narrative surrounding his administration

Karl FriedhoffKarl FriedhoffOctober 3, 2022