Yoon Suk-yeol calls off travel plans amid political turmoil

SEOUL: South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has decided not to travel to provincial regions on a vacation and will instead remain in Seoul to mull how to navigate through the current political turmoil, officials at the ruling party and the presidential office said Monday.

The decision came as Yoon's approval ratings have been unusually low, below 30 per cent in some surveys, for a President less than three months in office, as the economic situation worsens and leadership turmoil deepens at the ruling People Power Party (PPP), reports Yonhap News Agency. He is taking five days off starting Monday for vacation.

"I understand that President Yoon and first lady have decided not to go down to the provinces during this vacation," said an official at the presidential office. Another official said: "Under the current situation, vacation is not vacation."

While staying at home, the President is expected to listen to opinions from people from various circles, according to the officials.

His approval rating sank below 30 per cent in the wake of the embarrassing disclosure of a controversial text conversation with the ruling party floor leader.

Last week, PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong apologised after the text conversation he had with Yoon was caught on camera, in which the latter was seen badmouthing suspended party chief Lee Jun-seok. (IANS)

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