Poll: Progressives and conservatives neck and neck ahead of April general election

Nov 12, 2019, 08:37 am

By AsiaToday reporter Lim Yoo-jin

A new public opinion poll shows that South Koreans are sharply divided over whether to change the current regime in the general election in April next year. Each political power is risking life and death on the general election ahead of the presidential elections in 2022. In celebration of its 14th anniversary of publication, AsiaToday has conducted a survey and explored people’s views on the upcoming general election.

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon from pan-progressive camp and Hwang Kyo-ahn, a former prime minister now serving as chairman of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP), are leading in the new popularity poll of South Korea’s next presidential candidates supported by 28.4 percent and 18.2 percent, respectively. The AsiaToday survey conducted on Nov. 6-7 by R&Search has a 95 percent confidence level with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Among progressives, Lee was the most favored presidential candidate with 28.4 percent. Lee received overwhelming support of 45.5 percent from supporters of the ruling DP. It was followed by Gyeonggi Province Gov. Lee Jae-myung with 8.9 percent, former justice minister Cho Kuk with 7.5 percent, and Roh Moo-hyun Foundation head Rhyu Si-min with 5.9 percent.

Among conservatives, Hwang was favored by 18.2 percent, topping its list. Hwang received an overwhelming support among LKP supporters with 48.7 percent. It was followed by Yoo Seung-min, the chairman of the Immediate Action for Change and Innovaiton, with 10.8 percent, former LKP chairman Hong Joon-pyo with 8.2 percent, and former Bareunmirae Party chairman Ahn Cheol-soo.

Halfway into Moon Jae-in’s five-year term that started mid 2017, 46.3 percent was positive about the performance of the Moon Jae-in government, while 50.3 percent was negative.

If a general election were held tomorrow, 40.8 percent say they would vote for DP, 30.1 percent LKP, 5.7 percent Justice Party, 5.3 percent Bareunmirae Party, 2.6 percent Our Republican Party, and 2.1 percent Party for Democracy and Peace.

If an incumbent lawmaker were re-running for president, 39.9 percent say they would not support the candidate while 35.6 percent say they would. 24.4 percent say they are not sure. For the 21st general election in April 2020, 46.2 percent say they would support a candidate from the ruling party while 43.4 percent say they would support a candidate from the opposition party.

Progressive supporters and conservative supporters are neck and neck in the 21st general election, with 38.7 percent and 33.4 percent, respectively. However, 18.5 percent say they will not support anyone from the parties. In the poll, support for the DP is 38.7 percent followed by LKP with 29.3 percent, Justice Party with 7.9 percent, and Bareunmirae Party with 4.9 percent.

#AsiaToday poll #support rating #Lee Nak-yon #DP #LKP