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It seems like only yesterday that South Korean President Moon Jae-in was shortlisted for TIME magazine’s person of the year. Having arguably averted a nuclear crisis on the Korean peninsula, few would have disputed the former human rights lawyer’s role as regional peacemaker. 

But politics is a game for losers. A sluggish economy, stalling inter-Korean negotiations, and growing scandals mean that halfway into his five-year term his approval rating has hit a record 40% low. 

Adding to problems at