Average Approval Rating of Moon Administration Over 5 Years at 51.9%... Higher Than Presidential and Party Approval Ratings [Realmeter]

Moon's Average Approval Rating Higher Than Presidential Vote Share of 41.08% and Democratic Party Support at 40.4%
Positive Ratings Influenced by Early Administration's Anti-Corruption, North Korea Issues, and K-Quarantine Success
Negative Views on Real Estate Response and Fairness Issues

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] A public opinion poll revealed that President Moon Jae-in's average approval rating over five years reached 51.9%. It is explained that among past presidents, Moon is the first whose approval rating during the term was higher than both the vote share when elected president (41.08%) and the approval rating of his affiliated party (40.4%).

On the 9th, Realmeter, a public opinion research firm, analyzed weekly survey data evaluating President Moon's state affairs performance from May 9, 2017, to May 6, 2022 (500 adults surveyed daily, 2,500 adults weekly nationwide). The analysis showed that President Moon's average positive evaluation over five years was 51.9%, while the negative evaluation was 43.4%.

The highest positive evaluation during his tenure was 84.1% in the fourth week of May 2017, and the lowest was 33.0% in the fourth week of April 2021.

The peak positive rating was recorded in the second week after his inauguration, a period marked by appointments of ministers and Blue House staff, which is analyzed as a factor for the highest expectations for the new government.

The highest negative evaluation was 63.0% in the third week of April 2021, and the lowest was 5.9% in the fourth week of May 2017.

The peak negative rating is interpreted as influenced by the public sentiment to judge the administration following the 'LH executive real estate scandal' that occurred ahead of the April 7, 2021 by-elections.

The first time positive and negative evaluations of state affairs reversed after the Moon administration's launch was in the fourth week of December 2018 (positive 45.9% vs. negative 49.7%). After fluctuating within a narrow range for a long time, negative evaluations remained higher from the second week of September 2020 onward.

Realmeter cited major events and issues influencing positive evaluations as ▲ early administration's purge of deep-rooted evils ▲ North Korea issues (Dobodari meeting, Pyongyang visit, inter-Korean summits) ▲ local and general elections ▲ K-quarantine achievements and evaluations of COVID-19 response, as well as national unity effects during crises.

Conversely, events influencing negative evaluations included ▲ real estate responses (LH scandal, Daejang-dong, etc.) ▲ North Korea issues (destruction of Kaesong liaison office, ICBM launches, etc.) ▲ fairness issues (former Minister Cho Kuk scandal, Incheon International Airport regularization) ▲ sexual harassment issues involving former Mayors Park Won-soon and Oh Keo-don ▲ COVID-19 response (vaccine supply, etc.).

Realmeter explained, "President Moon is the first president since the 1987 direct election system whose overall positive evaluation of state affairs exceeded the vote share obtained in the presidential election, maintained a 40% range even in the last year of his term, and whose positive performance evaluation was higher than his party's approval rating."

During President Moon's tenure, the ruling party, the Democratic Party of Korea, had an average approval rating of 40.4%. The highest party approval was 57.0% in the second week of June 2018, and the lowest was 25.9% in the first week of November 2021.

For detailed survey methodology and results, please refer to the Realmeter website or the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission website.