President to address ruling party’s defeat in elections

President Yoon Suk Yeol will make an address, today, on the ruling People Power Party’s (PPP) crushing defeat in last week’s general elections during a televised Cabinet meeting.

According to the presidential office, Yoon plans to discuss his assessment of the election outcome, in which the ruling party secured only 108 seats in the 300-member National Assembly, and outline envisioned changes to his approach to governing.

On April 11, a day after the elections, Yoon conveyed through Presidential Chief of Staff Lee Kwan-sup that he “will humbly accept the people’s intention shown in the elections” and “will do (my) best to reform the governing stance and stabilize the economy.”

Following the remarks, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo expressed his intention to step down, and all senior presidential secretaries, except for those in charge of national security, also tendered their resignations, pending Yoon’s approval.

Reportedly, the presidential office initially considered a press conference, an address to the nation or other methods to deliver Yoon’s post-election message. However, they decided to incorporate the message into Yoon’s opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting. This means that he will not take questions from reporters.

During a weekly meeting with the prime minister, Yoon said, “The top priority in the government’s affairs is stabilizing the public’s livelihoods,” and asked Han oversee “morale and discipline among public officials, according to presidential spokesperson Kim Soo-kyung.

The comments align with concerns that Yoon’s control over his administration will be significantly weakened, and high-ranking government officials may start to distance themselves from deeply engaging in administrative matters.