As of Monday, it has been six months since President Lee Myung-bak took office.
The president marked the occasion with a call for a fresh start.
In a letter to members of the ruling Grand National Party, President Lee said he will devote the remaining four-and-a-half years of his term to developing the nation into a first-class, advanced country. He urged GNP members to join him in his mission.
When President Lee was sworn into office in February, he pledged to revitalize the economy. However, it has since slowed due to rising oil prices.
Consumer prices are at their highest in a decade, hitting an increase of nearly six percent in July.
The Presidential Office was criticized for worsening inflation by allowing the won to weaken against the U.S. dollar in order to boost exports.
During the six-month period President Lee's approval rating dropped to around 10 percent. Candlelight vigils were also held in protest at the government's resumption of American beef imports.
But expectations of success are rising once again. President Lee's approval rating recently rebounded to more than 24 percent in a poll conducted by Korea's Chosun Daily newspaper and Korea Gallup. This is 3.4 percentage points higher than late June. The poll also shows nearly 62 percent of participants believe the Korean leader will do better.
It's been a pretty bumpy ride so far -- and the story is far from over for this President.
Arirang News
