[Political Spotlight] Lee Jae-myung Faces Unsmiling Reality Despite Reduced Judicial Risks and Rising Approval Ratings

Approval Ratings Rise After Acquittal in Second Public Official Election Act Trial
Political Tensions Heighten as President Yoon's Impeachment Ruling Is Delayed

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, strengthened his position as a leading presidential candidate after being acquitted in the second trial of the Public Official Election Act case.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held on the 31st of last month at the Democratic Party's tent office in front of Gwanghwamun, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

According to a poll released by Realmeter on the 31st of last month (commissioned by Energy Economy Newspaper, conducted from the 26th to 28th among 1,510 voters aged 18 and over nationwide using an automated wireless phone response method, with a response rate of 6.4% and a 95% confidence level with a margin of error of ±2.5 percentage points), Lee received 49.5% in a survey listing major ruling and opposition presidential candidates.

Lee’s approval rating showed an increase of 6.4 percentage points in Daegu·Gyeongbuk (TK) and 5.7 percentage points in Busan·Ulsan·Gyeongnam (PK). Among moderate voters, his support rose by 3.9 percentage points to 56.5%.

The rise in Lee’s approval rating is closely related to his acquittal, overturning the first trial’s sentence of one year imprisonment with two years probation under the Public Official Election Act. This has alleviated some of the judicial risks and uncertainties that had been hanging over him. It is also analyzed that his visit to wildfire victims in the Yeongnam region positively influenced public opinion.

In particular, Lee confirmed his lead by gaining nearly mid-50% support in hypothetical one-on-one matchups against potential ruling party contenders. He led by 25.6 percentage points against Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, 31.5 percentage points against Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, 30.5 percentage points against Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, and 37.0 percentage points against former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon. Compared to a similar poll conducted two weeks earlier, the gap in support widened further.

For more detailed information regarding the poll, please refer to the website of the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission.