"Passport Presidential Support: Lee Nak-yeon 28%, Lee Jae-myung 20%"
Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the June expanded executive meeting held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on the afternoon of the 18th of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] A poll released on the 8th showed that the gap in approval ratings between Lee Nak-yeon, a leading presidential candidate from the ruling party and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, has narrowed to single digits. Previously, Lee Jae-myung had said during a poll where he ranked second among presidential candidates, "My youthful dream was to 'grab the tail and shake the body,'" drawing attention to whether the gap in approval ratings might narrow further in the future.
According to Hangil Research on the 8th, in a preference survey for the next presidential candidate conducted over three days (April 4, 6, and 7), Lee Nak-yeon ranked first with 28.8%, while Lee Jae-myung came in second with 20%. Lee Nak-yeon's preference rating dropped by 4.5 percentage points compared to the previous month.
On the other hand, Lee Jae-myung rose by 5.5 percentage points from the previous month to 20.0%, maintaining second place. He reduced the gap with Lee Nak-yeon to a single digit of 8.8 percentage points.
Following them among ruling party candidates was former lawmaker Kim Boo-kyum, who declared his candidacy for the Democratic Party's August party convention, with 3.3% in third place. Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon (2.6%), Justice Party leader Shim Sang-jung (2.4%), and Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo (1.4%) followed. The response rate for those who did not prefer any presidential candidate was 26.2%, while other figures and non-responses were 9.3% and 5.1%, respectively.
This survey was conducted among 1,004 adults aged 18 and over nationwide. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. For more details, please refer to the Realmeter or the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission websites.
On the afternoon of March 2nd, Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, arrived at the 'Palace of Peace,' the Shincheonji training center in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]
As the gap in approval ratings between Lee Nak-yeon and Lee Jae-myung narrows to single digits, Lee Jae-myung's past remarks are drawing attention.
Previously, Lee Jae-myung ranked second in a presidential candidate preference poll. According to a survey conducted by Gallup Korea from June 9 for three days using a free-response method, Lee Jae-myung rose by 1 percentage point from the previous survey to 12%, securing second place.
Regarding this, Lee Jae-myung said in an interview with Kukmin Ilbo on the 19th of the previous month, "I have no intention of rushing into the (presidential) race to do something first. I think I suffered losses without any benefits when I rushed in earlier for no reason," adding, "I will just work hard until I am called, and if I am not called, continuing this work itself is such a great honor and opportunity."
He continued, "Society is changing to value ability, performance, and results," and said, "I think I am rather advantaged because I have many opportunities to demonstrate my abilities," adding, "Politics is not done by politicians but by the people," and "My youthful dream was to 'grab the tail and shake the body.'"
He further stated, "In fact, I did a lot by grabbing the tail while engaging in civic movements and working as a human rights lawyer, and as mayor and governor, I believe I have achieved tremendous results. I am confident I will continue to achieve more. Even if I haven't grabbed the head, isn't it true that you don't always have to grab the head?"
Meanwhile, at the Democratic Party-Gyeonggi Province budget policy meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Lee Jae-myung said, "Since the pain experienced by the people on the ground is significant, please consider a second round of disaster relief payments." He also requested, "Since real estate is basically a local tax, please amend the Local Tax Basic Act so that local governments can set about 1% tax on ownership and distribute it entirely to city and provincial residents in the form of basic income."
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