[AKYUNG Poll] 'Lee Jun-seok Surge' People Power Party Leader Suitability Ranks 1st

High Public Recognition and Strong Support from Men in Their 20s Prove Effective

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] Former Supreme Council member Lee Jun-seok, who is challenging for the leadership of the People Power Party, has surpassed senior party members to take first place in the opinion poll support ratings. Analysts say his high public recognition and strong support from men in their 20s were key factors.

In the suitability survey for the next leader of the People Power Party, former Supreme Council member Lee recorded 17.7%, ranking first. He surpassed prominent seniors such as former lawmaker Na Kyung-won (16.5%) and former floor leader Joo Ho-young (10.4%). Following them were lawmaker Kim Woong (8.2%), lawmaker Hong Moon-pyo (4.6%), lawmaker Kim Eun-hye (3.2%), lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae (3.1%), former lawmaker Shin Sang-jin (2.3%), lawmaker Cho Hae-jin (1.8%), and lawmaker Yoon Young-seok (1.6%).

Former Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, Lee Jun-seok. / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

By age group, former Supreme Council member Lee received significant support from those in their 20s to 40s. Among ages 18-29 (21.2%), 30s (18.4%), and 40s (18.6%), he was chosen as the most suitable party leader. Lee has attracted attention by engaging in heated debates with political figures online over timely issues. He consistently posts at least two messages a day, sometimes more than five. During the April 7 by-elections, he served as head of the New Media Headquarters in Mayor Oh Se-hoon's Seoul campaign, planning a corner where young people in their 20s and 30s could speak freely.

His support is especially notable among men. While 23.1% of male respondents backed Lee, only 12.4% of women supported him, showing relatively lower female support. This appears related to Lee frequently posting content representing 'Idaenam' (men in their 20s). Recently, he criticized the GS Retail poster controversy involving misogyny and engaged in a war of words over 'gender conflict' with Jin Joong-kwon, a former professor at Dongyang University and another social media star.

There is also analysis that the 'Lee Jun-seok phenomenon' reflects public desire for change in the conservative party. Many believe that the People Power Party, often called a 'boomer party' or 'recycled pro-Park party,' needs new figures to win next year's presidential election. Professor Park Sang-byeong of Inha University Graduate School of Policy said, "People currently see no hope in the People Power Party, so they think a major personnel change is necessary." Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy added, "The destruction of the hierarchy and order traditionally held by the conservative party is causing a fresh breeze."

This survey was conducted by Asia Economy through Win-G Korea Consulting from the 15th to 16th among nationwide voters aged 18 and over, with 1,019 respondents and an overall response rate of 8.0%. The survey method was 100% mobile phone virtual number wireless ARS, and the sample was extracted with weighted values by gender, age, and region based on the resident registration population as of the end of January 2021 by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (cell weighting). The sampling error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. For detailed survey information, refer to the Win-G Korea Consulting website or the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.