Kim Min-seok, the former Prime Minister, has been elected as the new leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, prompting a renewed interest in predictions made by fortune tellers regarding his political future.
On August 17, during the Democratic Party's national convention held at the Daejeon Convention Center, Kim secured 54.08% of the votes, defeating candidate Jeong Cheong-rae, who received 45.92%. Kim's term will last for two years, during which he is expected to align closely with the administration of President Lee Jae-myung.
In light of Kim's election, past statements from fortune tellers about his political trajectory are being revisited. On June 9, one fortune teller remarked, "As Prime Minister, he could be seen as the right-hand man to the President. Didn't Lee Jae-myung also become President after serving as the party leader? I believe Kim will follow a similar path." The fortune teller further suggested that the President might support Kim, describing him as a shrewd and capable individual. They speculated that Kim may have been preparing for this leadership role since his time as Prime Minister, indicating a potential increase in his political influence.
Another prediction made public on June 12 stated that Kim had "made the right connections" and that someone had promised to support him. The fortune teller suggested that Kim might be thinking, "Isn't it my time now?" and predicted that his fortunes would improve over the next few years, leading to success.
This fortune teller previously likened Kim to a "hidden gem," noting that while he may not have a large following, he possesses determination and courage. They interpreted his current position as one closer to commanding authority.
However, following Kim's election as party leader, a different fortune teller offered a contrasting outlook. On August 19, they stated, "Even if he is elected, I don't see him lasting long. He may endure this year, but next year he will lack support." They suggested that Kim was better suited for the role of Prime Minister and that his departure from that position was influenced more by external circumstances than by his own will.
This fortune teller also commented that Kim is not destined to be an owner or leader, stating, "He can be a second-in-command, but it will be difficult for him to be the top leader," suggesting he is more suited to a strategist role. They added that while this year may be relatively smooth for him, he could face controversies and scandals starting next year.
In relation to the internal dynamics of the Democratic Party, separate predictions regarding Jeong Cheong-rae have also resurfaced. One fortune teller indicated that Jeong could be a key figure in undermining the Lee Jae-myung administration and potentially causing internal divisions within the party.
While Kim Min-seok has emerged as the party leader, the recent party convention saw several individuals aligned with Jeong Cheong-rae being elected to the Supreme Council, resulting in a leadership that reflects a variety of factions within the party.
It is important to note that the predictions made by fortune tellers are not scientifically validated political forecasts and should not be viewed as definitive evidence of future political developments or the fates of specific individuals.
Following his election, Kim Min-seok has expressed his commitment to working for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration, emphasizing cooperation between the party and the government, as well as unity within the party.
Meanwhile, President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating has recently continued to decline. According to a survey conducted by the Korea Social Opinion Institute (KSOI) from August 18 to 19, Lee's approval rating for his administration stands at 42.8%, a drop of 5.0 percentage points from the previous survey. Conversely, his disapproval rating has risen to 52.5%, surpassing the approval rating by a margin outside the margin of error.
Notably, Lee's approval rating has decreased consecutively from 54.7% in the second week of July to 48.8% in the fourth week of July, 47.8% in the first week of August, and now 42.8% in the third week of August. This latest figure represents the lowest level recorded by KSOI since it began regular surveys in June of last year.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.