President Yoon Suk Yeol has filled key posts in his administration with those who served under former President Lee Myung-bak, triggering a strong backlash from the opposition party and some civic groups, which argue the move is no more than a return to the past. While the opposition claims this practice highlights the president s refusal to embrace fresh faces and diverse perspectives, some attribute it to a lack of talent in the conservative spectrum in Korea, which was annihilated after the impeachment of Lee s successor, former President Park Geun-hye.
The popularity of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) have both entered a downward spiral as infighting continues and a bribery scandal draws the public s ire.
The ruling and opposition parties announced an agreement on next year s national budget Thursday after a weekslong impasse over how much to cut the corporate tax rate and other issues.