Support Rates Including TK Show Upward Trend, Indicating Consolidation of Support
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] President Yoon Suk-yeol's approval rating for his administration's performance has shown a slight decline, dropping to the low 30% range. The approval rating in Daegu·Gyeongbuk (TK) showed an upward trend, indicating a consolidation of support.
According to a public opinion poll released on the 21st by polling firm Realmeter (conducted by Media Tribune from the 14th to the 18th, targeting 2,516 voters aged 18 and over nationwide using an automated response method), President Yoon's approval rating fell by 1.2 percentage points from the previous week to 33.4%. The disapproval rating rose by 0.4 percentage points to 63.8%.
Looking at daily public opinion trends, President Yoon's approval rating was 34.3% on the 15th (Tuesday) at the beginning of the week but showed a downward trend, recording 32.0% on the 18th (Friday) at the end of the week.
Examining approval ratings by region, Daegu·Gyeongbuk's approval rating rose by 4.5 percentage points from 41.5% last week to 46.0%. In contrast, Gwangju·Jeolla saw a 6.8 percentage point drop, with approval falling from 19.3% to 12.5%.
Considering generational and regional characteristics, the only generation with a high approval rating was those aged 70 and above (positive evaluation 49%, negative evaluation 45.8%). The generation with the lowest approval rating was those in their 40s (positive evaluation 23.5%, negative evaluation 75.8%).
Although President Yoon conducted diplomatic activities domestically and internationally last week, controversies such as excluding MBC from the exclusive plane appear to have led to a pattern of support consolidation only among his base.
Baek Cheol-ho, a senior researcher at Realmeter, said, "This week's presidential evaluation can be regarded as a diplomatic evaluation. Normally, approval ratings rise after a diplomatic trip, but the fact that regular surveys including Realmeter, National Barometer Survey (NBS), and Gallup showed slight declines or stagnation suggests that controversies such as excluding MBC from the exclusive plane and issues related to First Lady Kim Geon-hee diluted the impact."
Regarding the temporary suspension of President Yoon's door-stopping on the day, he said, "Despite controversies about the format, the fact that it was pushed forward shows President Yoon's affection for it, which is puzzling. Door-stopping is more about listening than speaking, but blocking it like this could be interpreted as a refusal to listen."
Kim Bong-shin, CEO of Metavoice, also analyzed, "Diplomatic trips are usually opportunities for the president to appear favorable to the public, but all regular surveys showed poor approval ratings. The decline in approval ratings came from white-collar groups interested in diplomacy, international economy, and current issues." He expressed concern about the decision to suspend door-stopping, saying, "It may make it harder for approval ratings to rise further."
In party approval ratings, the Democratic Party of Korea rose by 1.3 percentage points to 48.1%. The People Power Party fell by 2.3 percentage points to 33.8%, and the Justice Party rose by 0.8 percentage points to 4.0%.
For more details, please refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.
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