[PollPollNews]Gap Between Democratic and People Power Party Narrows to 6.9%p... President Lee's Approval Stagnant Despite Unconventional Work Report

Realmeter Poll Results
President Lee's Approval Rating Drops 0.9 Percentage Points to 53.4%
Exchange Rate Concerns and Unification Church Scandal Weigh on President Lee and the Ruling Party

President Lee Jaemyung's approval rating for his administration has shown a slight decline for the second consecutive week, remaining stagnant overall. While initiatives such as the "live broadcast work report" drew attention, ongoing uncertainties in the real economy, including the won-dollar exchange rate, are seen as factors hampering further gains. The gap in support between the Democratic Party and the People Power Party has narrowed, influenced by controversies such as the Unification Church bribery scandal.

According to a public opinion poll released by Realmeter on the 22nd (commissioned by Energy Economy News, conducted from December 15 to 19 among 2,521 voters aged 18 and older nationwide, using a 100% wireless automated response method, with a margin of error of ±2.0 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, and a response rate of 4.5%), President Lee's positive job approval rating was 53.4%, down 0.9 percentage points from the previous week. Since the first week of December, when it stood at 54.9%, it has slightly declined to 54.3% (second week of December) and 53.4% (third week of December). The negative rating rose by 0.7 percentage points to 42.2% compared to the previous week.

Realmeter explained, "The live broadcast work report was positively received as a fresh communication method, but President Lee's public reprimand of the Incheon International Airport Corporation CEO was criticized as 'stigmatization' or 'political retaliation,' which appears to have contributed to the decline in support. In addition, inadequate response to the Coupang incident and uncertainties in the real economy, such as the won-dollar exchange rate reaching the 1,480-won range, seem to have added further pressure."

By age group, support among those in their 20s fell by 5.6 percentage points (from 34.7% to 29.1%). Among progressives, support dropped by 4.0 percentage points (from 84.5% to 80.5%), and among office, management, and professional workers, it decreased by 4.2 percentage points (from 61.6% to 57.4%). These declines were particularly notable.

In the party support survey (commissioned by Energy Economy News, conducted from December 18 to 19 among 1,007 voters aged 18 and older nationwide, using a 100% wireless automated response method, with a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, and a response rate of 4.0%), support for the Democratic Party fell by 1.7 percentage points to 44.1%, while support for the People Power Party rose by 2.6 percentage points to 37.2%. As a result, the gap between the two major parties narrowed from 11.2 percentage points to 6.9 percentage points. The Cho Kuk Innovation Party recorded 3.6%, the Reform New Party 3.0%, and the Progressive Party 1.6%.

Realmeter analyzed, "The decline in support for the Democratic Party appears to be due to its refusal to accept a special prosecutor for the Unification Church scandal and allegations of bribery involving former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Jeon Jae-su, which have led to a noticeable loss of support among progressives and moderates. The rise in support for the People Power Party seems to be primarily driven by its aggressive opposition campaigns, such as calling for dual special prosecutors on the Unification Church and Min Junggi cases, as well as benefiting from the Democratic Party's internal issues."

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