Moon Jiji Approval Rating 48.8%, Slightly Stable... Little Change Despite Prosecution Personnel Controversy [Realmeter]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Despite the controversy over the prosecution personnel 'insubordination,' President Moon Jae-in's positive evaluation of his administration still leads the negative evaluation, according to a survey.

Realmeter announced on the 13th that, based on a public opinion survey conducted from the 6th to the 10th commissioned by YTN, the positive evaluation of President Moon's administration was recorded at 48.8%, down 0.2 percentage points from the previous week's aggregate. Although it showed a mild decline for two consecutive weeks, the situation where positive evaluation (48.8%) slightly outpaced negative evaluation (46.5%) was maintained for three consecutive weeks.

By detailed demographic groups, the ratings declined among moderates, people in their 50s, and residents of the Chungcheong and Honam regions, while they rose among conservatives, people in their 30s, and residents of Seoul and Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK).

This slight weakening is interpreted as the result of simultaneous influences from both positive and negative factors, including ▲ the 'insubordination and massacre' controversy surrounding prosecution personnel ▲ the deepening instability of the Middle East situation following the 'US-Iran military clash' ▲ and expanded coverage of President Moon Jae-in's 2020 New Year's address.

In particular, the fact that the approval rating avoided a significant drop despite the prosecution-related adverse event known as the 'insubordination incident' is analyzed to be due to the public opinion on this prosecution personnel appointment being evenly divided.

In fact, in a public opinion survey on prosecution personnel conducted by Realmeter on the 10th (commissioned by CBS, 502 respondents, 4.4% response rate, sampling error ±4.4 percentage points at 95% confidence level), 43.5% evaluated it positively as 'well done,' while 47.0% evaluated it negatively as 'poorly done.' The gap is within the margin of error.

However, while the majority or plurality of conservatives, Liberty Korea Party supporters, and non-affiliated voters responded with 'poorly done,' the majority of progressives and Democratic Party supporters responded with 'well done,' showing a clear difference in evaluation by political camp.

Meanwhile, in party support ratings, the Democratic Party recorded 41.1%, down 0.7 percentage points from the previous week, and the Liberty Korea Party recorded 31.3%, down 0.8 percentage points. The Justice Party remained steady at 5.5%, the same as the previous week, and the Bareunmirae Party rose 0.1 percentage points to 4.7%. Additionally, the Party for Democracy and Peace was surveyed at 1.9%, and the Our Republican Party at 1.5%.

The presidential and party approval ratings survey contacted 53,571 voters aged 19 and older nationwide, with a final 2,509 respondents completing the survey, recording a 4.7% response rate. The sampling error is ±2.0 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. For detailed information, refer to the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission website.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.