Controversy Over Misstatements Including Illegal Food by Yoon Suk-yeol... Approval Rating Falls Below 10% for the First Time After Leaving Office

Gallup Poll "Yoon Seok-yeol, 25%→19%"
Approval Rating Drops After 6 Months
Lee Jae-myung Leads with 25%
Lee Nak-yeon Rises 5%p to 3rd Place

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Support for former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol (photo) has significantly declined over the past month. Yoon's approval rating had been soaring since he stepped down as Prosecutor General last March, but it appears he is now facing difficulties after embarking on a full-fledged political career.

According to a survey conducted by Gallup Korea from the 3rd to the 5th of this month, targeting 1,001 adults nationwide aged 18 and over (confidence level 95%, margin of error ±3.1 percentage points), Yoon's approval rating dropped 6 percentage points from the previous survey (conducted June 29 to July 1) to 19%. Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung maintained a 25% approval rating, leading Yoon within the margin of error.

Source: Provided by Korea Gallup

Yoon, who stepped down as Prosecutor General on March 4, had consistently maintained approval ratings in the 20% range since recording 24% in a March poll this year. However, in this survey, his rating fell into the 10% range for the first time in six months. Controversies over remarks related to the ‘120-hour workweek,’ ‘choice of unsafe food,’ and ‘Fukushima nuclear plant contaminated water’ are analyzed as contributing negative factors.

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon’s approval rating rose 5 percentage points from the previous survey to 11%. Following him were former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung (4%) and People Power Party lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo (2%). Lee’s rising approval rating is notable as the Democratic Party primary race intensifies. Lee had led with mid-20% approval ratings until July last year but experienced a decline and remained in single digits since April this year. Former Chairman Choi rose from 2% in the previous survey to 4%, ranking fourth.

President Moon Jae-in’s job approval rating stood at 41%, with disapproval at 51%. Detailed information can be found on the Gallup Korea or the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission websites.