In the context of the upcoming national assembly elections in South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol's recent supermarket visit has sparked controversy. Intending to demonstrate empathy towards the financial struggles of families, Yoon commented on the "reasonable" price of green onions, priced at 875 won per bundle.
This vegetable, a staple in Korean cuisine, has become a potent symbol of the public's frustration with inflation in Asia's fourth-largest economy. Critics highlighted that the low price was the result of temporary government subsidies and additional supermarket discounts, with the actual cost being significantly higher, around 3,000-4,000 won. This incident has contributed to perceptions of Yoon's detachment from ordinary citizens' concerns. It also threatens to impact the People Power party's ambition to secure a majority in the assembly, amidst rising support for smaller parties and pre-existing low approval ratings for Yoon's administration. The election is viewed as a crucial midterm assessment of Yoon's leadership.
[ 100 won = €0.07 ]
Source: theguardian.com
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