Consecutive Deaths of Close Associates... Lee Jae-myung's Responsibility 46.3% vs Prosecution's Responsibility 47.8%

Regarding the consecutive deaths of personnel related to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, public opinion is evenly split between holding Lee responsible and blaming the prosecution. Opinions are also divided in half regarding Lee's position.

According to a public opinion poll released on the 17th by Media Tomato (conducted by wireless ARS method from the 13th to the 15th on 1,033 adults aged 18 and over nationwide, commissioned by News Tomato), 47.8% of respondents said the prosecution is responsible for the consecutive deaths of personnel related to Lee, while 46.3% said Lee is responsible. Considering the margin of error, public opinion is essentially divided in half.

Among conservative respondents, 77.4% said Lee is responsible, whereas 74.2% of progressive respondents said the prosecution is responsible. Among moderate respondents, 52.3% said the prosecution is responsible, and 40.1% said Lee is responsible.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding Lee, whose position is under controversy, 48.8% of respondents said he should step down as party leader. Those who said he should maintain his position accounted for 45.6%. However, among those who identified as supporters of the Democratic Party, 84.8% said he should remain party leader. Among moderate voters, opinions were closely split with 47.1% saying he should maintain his position and 45.2% saying he should step down.

President Yoon Suk-yeol's approval rating for his administration dropped 3.8 percentage points from the previous survey to 34.5%. The disapproval rating rose 2.7 percentage points to 63.3%.

In party support, the Democratic Party's approval rating rose 4.0 percentage points to 45.4%. The People Power Party's support fell 3.7 percentage points to 39.0%. While the previous survey showed the People Power Party ahead of the Democratic Party within the margin of error, this survey showed the Democratic Party ahead of the People Power Party outside the margin of error.

For detailed survey methodology and results, please refer to the website of the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission.