National and International perceptions can differ. Once the large Outbreak in South Korea had happened, South Korean Government was internationally praised for its containment effort (something that in Korea was mainly credited the Civil Service and Medical staff). On the other hand Moon was very strongly criticised in in Korea for refusing to stop travel between China and South Korea unlike other Asian Countries (e.g. Singapore) did, and so purportedly allowing the outbreak to escalate to the levels we saw in the first place. Whether that is a fair assessment is questionable (see my last post), but in South Korea there is a tendency to blame the Government when bad things happen under their watch, even if it is not direct result of their policymaking (see Sewol, MERS, Sampoong Department Store, Deagu Metro fire). While in the West there is today a rally-around-the-flag effect, even where the response was arguably extremely bungled (US, Italy, France, Germany, UK). Different political cultures, different standards for politcians.
That will not last if the effects of any such bungling become obvious to all.
