Gap with Second Place: 24.5 Percentage Points
Floating Voters Exceed 30%... Biggest Variable
In a recent poll conducted ahead of next year's June 3 local elections, Kim Daejung, the incumbent Superintendent of Education for Jeonnam Province, once again emerged as the leading candidate.
According to the results of the survey commissioned by Namdo Ilbo and conducted by polling agency Realmeter over two days on June 28 and 29, Kim received 33.7% support, placing him in a commanding first place, far ahead of the other candidates.
He was followed by Jang Gwanho, former head of the Jeonnam branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, with 9.2%; Kim Haeryong, former head of Yeosu Office of Education, with 7.1%; Kang Sukyoung, former superintendent at the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education, with 6.7%; and Moon Seungtae, Vice President for External Affairs at Suncheon National University, with 6.1%. Other candidates accounted for 5.1%, while 12.8% of respondents indicated "no preferred candidate" and 19.1% answered "don't know," resulting in a floating voter rate of 30%.
Kim received consistently high support across all regions and age groups in Jeonnam. By region, support was highest in the mid-western area (Mokpo, Yeongam, Muan, Shinan) at 45.4%, followed by the Gwangju-adjacent area (Naju, Hwasun, Damyang, Jangseong, etc.) at 32.9%, the southern area (Yeosu, Haenam, Goheung, etc.) at 29.9%, and the eastern area (Suncheon, Gwangyang, etc.) at 29.5%.
By age group, support was 40.5% among those in their 60s, 39.0% in their 40s, 33.4% among those aged 70 and older, 33.3% in their 50s, 28.2% in their 30s, and 22.7% among those aged 18 to 29. By gender, support was higher among men (38.1%) than women (29.3%).
By party affiliation, Kim showed strong support among supporters of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party (38.5%) and the Democratic Party of Korea (37.3%). He also received relatively even support from the Reform Party (24.8%), the People Power Party (10.5%), and the Progressive Party (17.5%). Among supporters of Jeonnam gubernatorial candidates, 48.0% of Kim Youngrok's supporters, 35.1% of Shin Jeonghoon's supporters, 36.6% of Lee Gaeho's supporters, and 35.4% of Joo Cheolhyeon's supporters indicated support for Kim.
Jang Gwanho received strong support from the Progressive Party base at 43.7%, and relatively higher support among those in their 50s (12.6%) and those aged 70 and older (12.1%). By region, he performed best in the Gwangju-adjacent area (11.4%).
Kim Haeryong received the highest support among those in their 60s (9.7%), and performed well in the eastern area (9.4%) and southern area (9.2%). Among Reform Party supporters, his approval rating was 16.1%.
Kang Sukyoung received particularly high support among those aged 18 to 29 (13.5%), and recorded relatively high support in the southern area (9.8%). By gender, support was higher among men (7.6%) than women (5.7%).
Moon Seungtae recorded relatively high support in the eastern area (9.9%), among People Power Party supporters (14.8%), and among Reform Party supporters (12.2%). His support was highest among those aged 70 and older (7.3%).
In this survey, the combined proportion of respondents indicating "no preferred candidate" (12.8%) and "don't know" (19.1%) reached 31.9%, a level similar to Kim's current support rate. The choices of these undecided voters are likely to play a decisive role in the final outcome as the election approaches.
The survey targeted men and women aged 18 and older residing in Jeonnam, using an automated response system (ARS) with 100% mobile phone virtual numbers provided by the three major domestic telecom companies. Out of 11,220 people contacted, 807 responded, resulting in a response rate of 7.2%.
The margin of error is ±3.4 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Weighting was applied by gender, age, and region based on Ministry of the Interior and Safety resident registration population statistics as of the end of May 2025 (rim weighting). Detailed survey methodology and results can be found on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.
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