How Yoon alienated S. Koreans, one group at a time

Controversies included his refusal to apologise over the Itaewon crowd crush

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SEOUL - Angry farmers. Striking doctors. An expensive Dior bag. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol may have sealed his political fate on Dec 3, when he declared martial law. And on Dec 14, the National Assembly voted to impeach Mr Yoon, who was then suspended from office.

But even before his brief imposition of military rule, voters were already furious over a series of scandals and unpopular decisions since he took office. Amid growing inequality, rising prices and escalating threats from North Korea, his controversial leadership had left him with some of the lowest approval ratings in South Korea's history.

Here is how Mr Yoon lost the trust of much of his electorate.

MAY

Weeks into his term, two of his Cabinet nominees withdrew after being accused of nepotism. Three more would resign within months.

SEPTEMBER

A media outlet published a recording of Mr Yoon apparently using an expletive to refer to US lawmakers after a meeting with US President Joe Biden. Mr Yoon called the report "fake news", and members of his party tried to enter the broadcaster's offices. Mr Yoon has repeatedly gone after journalists and news organisations that criticised him, leading to accusations of censorship and backsliding on democratic values.

OCTOBER