President Lee Jae-myung's job approval rating fell for the first time in three weeks to 48.4%, according to a poll released on the 20th.
The survey, conducted by polling firm Realmeter at the request of Energy Economy Daily from the 13th to the 16th among 2,007 eligible voters aged 18 and older nationwide, showed the president's approval rating at 48.4%, down 0.5 percentage points from the previous week. Lee's rating turned downward for the first time in three weeks, holding in the 40% range for the fifth consecutive week.
The decline continued mainly in regions with a large moderate bloc. By region, his approval rose 15.7 percentage points in Daegu and North Gyeongsang and 5.9 percentage points in South Jeolla, Gwangju and North Jeolla, while falling 13.8 percentage points in Daejeon, Sejong and Chungcheong and 6 percentage points in Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang.
Support also weakened among the president's core base. By age group, those in their 20s rose 1.3 percentage points, while those in their 40s dropped 3.8 percentage points.
Negative assessment stood at 48%, up 0.3 percentage points from the previous survey. Those responding "don't know" made up 3.6%.
Realmeter explained, "Positive assessment held in the low 50% range in the early and middle part of the week, but toward the end of the week, economic setbacks such as interest rate hikes and a sharp stock market drop, conflict within the ruling bloc over supplementary investigation authority, and writer Rhyu Si-min's remark about 'inevitable failure' combined to cause defections among the core base of those in their 40s and progressives, resulting in a slight decline in overall positive assessment."
Meanwhile, a party approval survey conducted from the 15th to the 16th among 1,005 eligible voters aged 18 and older nationwide showed that support for the Democratic Party of Korea also declined. The Democratic Party's rating stood at 43.1%, down 1.7 percentage points from the previous week. The People Power Party recorded 40%, up 1.9 percentage points. The gap between the two parties narrowed to 3.1 percentage points, returning to a close race within the margin of error for the first time in a week.
The Democratic Party's decline was also pronounced in regions with many moderates. The party fell 14.7 percentage points in Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang and 10.6 percentage points in Daejeon, Sejong and Chungcheong.
Realmeter interpreted the result, saying, "The Democratic Party's support appears to have eroded mainly among those in their 50s and 60s and progressives, as factional conflict over introducing a preferential voting system ahead of the party convention and internal disagreement over abolishing prosecutorial supplementary investigation authority were highlighted through the media." Regarding the People Power Party, it said, "Its rebound appears to have come from rallying its base by pushing for party-line proposals of three victim protection bills in the wake of the Jang Yun-gi murder case, while emphasizing messages of maintaining supplementary investigation authority and strengthening enforcement."
Elsewhere, the Rebuilding Korea Party recorded 3.1%, the New Reform Party 2.7%, and the Progressive Party 1.3%. The undecided bloc stood at 8.5%.
The presidential job approval survey drew responses from 2,007 eligible voters aged 18 and older nationwide from the 13th to the 16th, with a response rate of 4.0%. The margin of error was ±2.2 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. The party approval survey drew responses from 1,005 eligible voters aged 18 and older nationwide from the 15th to the 16th, with a response rate of 4.1%. The margin of error was ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Both surveys were conducted using an automated response system via mobile phones (100%). Further details can be found on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.
