[Polpol News] Approval Ratings of Metropolitan Governors: Kim Dongyeon 50%, Oh Sehoon 38%

Kim Youngrok, Kim Dongyeon, and Kim Dukyum Lead in Approval Ratings
Kang Gijung's Support Plummets from 52% to 27% in Six Months
Gallup Metropolitan Governor Opinion Poll

Among metropolitan and provincial governors, Kim Youngrok, Governor of South Jeolla Province, Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Kim Dukyum, Mayor of Ulsan, were found to have high approval ratings among local residents. In contrast, Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju, saw a sharp decline in his job performance evaluation in the second half of the year compared to the first half, drawing attention.

On December 29, Gallup released the results of its 2025 second-half public opinion poll on the job performance of metropolitan and provincial governors. The survey was conducted via wireless telephone interviews with 19,050 adults aged 18 or older nationwide (with a maximum of 5,343 and a minimum of 176 respondents per each of the 16 cities and provinces) between July and December this year. The margin of error was ±1.3 to 7.4 percentage points at a 95% confidence level for each region, and the average response rate was 12.1%. According to the results, Governor Kim Youngrok received 52% support in the second-half job evaluation. Governor Kim Dongyeon received 50%, and Mayor Kim Dukyum received 49%.

Mayor Yoo Jeongbok of Incheon recorded 47%, Governor Lee Cheolwoo of North Gyeongsang Province 46%, Governor Kim Kwanyoung of North Jeolla Province and Governor Kim Taeheum of South Chungcheong Province 44%, Governor Kim Jintae of Gangwon Province and Governor Park Wansu of South Gyeongsang Province 41%, Mayor Oh Sehoon of Seoul and Mayor Park Hyungjun of Busan 38%, Governor Oh Younghoon of Jeju 37%, Mayor Lee Jangwoo of Daejeon 36%, Governor Kim Younghwan of North Chungcheong Province 32%, and Mayor Kang Gijung of Gwangju 27%.

However, Gallup cautioned that "the evaluation of governors reflects the unique circumstances and characteristics of each region," advising caution against simple comparisons of approval ratings.

Gallup used the net score (positive evaluation minus negative evaluation) as an indicator, taking into account regional characteristics. Based on this metric, the evaluations of Mayor Kang Gijung, Governor Kim Youngrok, and Governor Oh Younghoon worsened significantly over the past six months. Mayor Kang's net score in the second half was -33 (27% positive, 60% negative), a 52-point drop compared to his first-half net score of 19 (52% positive, 33% negative). Governor Kim Youngrok's net score also fell by 18 points, from 44 in the first half (63% positive, 19% negative) to 26 in the second half (52% positive, 26% negative). Governor Oh Younghoon's net score declined by 18 points as well, from 8 in the first half (47% positive, 39% negative) to -10 in the second half (37% positive, 47% negative).

Gallup stated, "In the first half of this year, governors affiliated with the People Power Party saw the largest declines in their evaluations, which appeared to be a result of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's mismanagement and the impeachment crisis. In the second half, governors affiliated with the Democratic Party of Korea experienced the largest declines."

The nationwide average positive job evaluation rate for city and provincial governors was 55% in the first half of 2024, 51% in the second half of 2024, and 48% in the first half of this year, but dropped to 42% in the second half of this year.

For more detailed information related to the public opinion survey, please refer to the Gallup website.