[AKyeong Poll] More Than Half Still Say "Daejangdong, Lee Jae-myung Bears Greater Responsibility"

Seoul, Gangwon, Jeju Show High Response Rates
Direct Approach in National Audit Yields Results
From 56.6% to 53.7%
Lee's Responsibility Theory Slightly Decreases
Need for Special Investigation Remains High

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Public opinion that holds Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, largely responsible for the Daejang-dong development preferential treatment allegations has slightly decreased. On the other hand, views attributing responsibility to the People Power Party have increased. It can be analyzed that Lee's efforts to persuade the public gained traction through the so-called 'Daejang-dong National Assembly audit.' However, regardless of changes in perceptions of responsibility, six out of ten citizens believe that the introduction of a special prosecutor (special investigation) is necessary to resolve the Daejang-dong allegations. Public opinion strongly supports clearly determining the truth and responsibility, whoever it may lie with.

On the 26th, Asia Economy commissioned Win-G Korea Consulting to conduct a public opinion survey (100% mobile phone virtual numbers, automated response) targeting 1,024 voters aged 18 and over nationwide from the 23rd to 24th. The results showed that 53.7% responded that "Lee Jae-myung, who designed the project at the time and had command authority over Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, bears significant responsibility." This is a 2.8 percentage point decrease compared to the previous survey (56.5%) conducted on the 9th and 10th. It is interpreted that Lee's two appearances at the National Assembly audit on the 18th and 20th, where he attempted to directly confront opposition party attacks, influenced this change. Conversely, the response that "the People Power Party, which was the ruling party at the time and the majority in Seongnam City Council, bears significant responsibility for blocking public development" rose to 37.5%, up 3.3 percentage points from the previous 34.2%.

By age group, the 'Lee responsibility' response decreased compared to the previous survey in all age groups except those aged 60 and above: 18-29 (66.3% → 56.6%), 30s (64.0% → 58.1%), 40s (38.8% → 36.7%), 50s (53.6% → 50.3%), while 60+ increased (60.0% → 63.1%). Regionally, this trend appeared in most areas except Seoul (59.9% → 64.8%) and Gangwon-Jeju (42.9% → 53.3%). Lee's stronghold of Gyeonggi-Incheon (56.5% → 49.2%), as well as Daejeon-Sejong-Chungcheong (48.5% → 46.8%), Daegu-Gyeongbuk (68.8% → 59.2%), Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (69.0% → 65.2%), and Gwangju-Jeonbuk-Jeonnam (33.0% → 30.3%) all saw decreases in the Lee responsibility view. Among supporters of the Democratic Party and the Open Democratic Party, only 18.8% and 13.3%, respectively, judged Lee to bear significant responsibility. In contrast, 90.9% of People Power Party supporters emphasized Lee's responsibility.

Meanwhile, 64% of the public supported the opposition party's demand for the introduction of a special prosecutor to investigate the allegations, showing a contrast. Only 27.1% opposed it, and 8.9% were unsure. Support for the special prosecutor was high across all age groups, especially among those in their 20s and 30s, with 71.7% and 71.0% respectively. This was followed by those aged 60 and above (67.2%), 50s (62.2%), and 40s (48.0%). Regionally, support was strongest in Seoul (71.5%), and also higher than average in Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (69.0%) and Daegu-Gyeongbuk (67.4%). Opinions on the special prosecutor clearly divided along party lines: 92.2% of People Power Party supporters favored it, while 55.5% of Democratic Party supporters opposed it.

This survey was conducted by Asia Economy through Win-G Korea Consulting targeting voters aged 18 and over nationwide from the 23rd to 24th, with 1,024 respondents and an overall response rate of 6.6%. The survey method was wireless ARS using 100% mobile phone virtual numbers, 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 from 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, please refer to the Win-G Korea Consulting website or the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.