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South Korea’s embattled Yoon spurned by young antifeminists over failed pledges, scandals
- Support for President Yoon among young, male voters who propelled him to the top job has started to wane as he struggles to deliver on campaign promises
- The former prosecutor general has also come under fire for his inexperience and multiple political and personal controversies
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David D. Leein Seoul
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol marked his 100th day in office on August 17 amid waning public support by his base of disillusioned young men as he struggles to deliver on his election promises and navigate personal and political controversies.
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Yoon, a former prosecutor general with no political experience, has come under fire for his lack of experience, with many young men calling him a “newbie who collected money but didn’t do any work”, “amateur” and “salary thief”, according to a survey by the Weekly Chosun across college campuses.
The support of young male voters who sought a change from liberal former president Moon Jae-in has been key in propelling Yoon to the top job. In March, exit polls from the country’s three major broadcast stations – KBS, MBC and SBS – showed that nearly six in 10 male voters in their 20s had voted for Yoon.
“I confidently voted for Yoon in March, but I’m regretting it a little bit now,” said Charles Shin, 28-year-old PhD student in the southwestern city of Gwangju.
Yoon rose to power on pledges to stabilise South Korea’s housing market, raise monthly wages for soldiers to 2 million won (US$1,500) and to abolish the Gender Equality Ministry, but has struggled to deliver on these.
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