President Yoon has been credited by the United States for taking bold steps to overcome historical differences with neighbouring Japan to build up trilateral political and military ties and counter China’s growing regional influence and rising threats from North Korea.
However, his success abroad – and even the belligerence of an aggressive northern neighbour – holds little water with voters who are struggling to make ends meet and will likely vote on that basis.
On the campaign trail, Mr Yoon was accused of being out of touch when he picked up a bundle of green onions and remarked that the price tag of 875 won (51p) was “reasonable”.
The bag had been marked with a discounted price due to a government subsidy, rather than selling for the retail price of up to 4,000 won (£2.34). The mistake has been used by the opposition to mock the PPP with displays of onions at campaign rallies.
The Yoon administration has also struggled with negative headlines over the appointment of former defence minister Lee Jong-sup as envoy to Australia while being investigated for corruption, and a controversy over the First Lady allegedly accepting a luxury bag.