Lee Nak-yeon Dominates with 40.2% Preference in Next Presidential Race... Hwang Kyo-ahn Falls to 4th Place

Lee Nak-yeon, the Standing Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is smiling brightly while attending the disbandment ceremony of the Election Committee held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 17th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Lee Nak-yeon, chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's COVID-19 National Crisis Overcoming Countermeasures Committee, surpassed 40% in preference for the first time in the next presidential candidate preference survey, taking first place. Hwang Kyo-ahn, former leader of the United Future Party, who had consistently been in second place, dropped to fourth, while Hong Joon-pyo, former leader of the Liberty Korea Party, rose to third, recording the highest preference among opposition candidates.

Realmeter announced on the 28th that in a survey conducted on 2,552 adults aged 18 and over nationwide from the 20th to the 24th at the request of OhmyNews, Lee's preference rose by 10.5 percentage points from last month to 40.2%. This marks his 11th consecutive month in first place.

Lee's preference increased across all demographics, with regional preferences at Chungcheong (41.2%), Busan·Ulsan·Gyeongnam (35.8%), Gangwon (37.6%), age groups 20s (35.0%), 40s (46.5%), 60 and over (37.0%), ideological groups centrist (39.1%) and progressive (60.9%), and notable increases among students (36.9%), homemakers (40.9%), and labor workers (41.9%).

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, is leaving the comprehensive vote counting situation room set up at the National Assembly on the 15th after announcing his intention to resign as party leader, taking responsibility for the election results. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Former leader Hwang recorded 6.0%, down 13.4 percentage points from last month due to the general election defeat, dropping from second to fourth place. His preference declined across all demographics, especially in Busan·Ulsan·Gyeongnam (7.4%), Chungcheong (5.7%), Daegu·Gyeongbuk (10.2%), age groups 50s (5.7%) and 60 and over (9.0%), conservatives (14.5%), homemakers (7.1%), agriculture, forestry and fisheries (6.7%), and self-employed (6.2%).

Filling the second place left by Hwang is Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi Province, who set a personal record with 14.4% preference. Lee mainly rose in Honam (18.1%), 60 and over (10.5%), progressives (18.3%), students (14.2%), and labor workers (15.1%), but declined in Gangwon (8.1%), 20s (11.5%), conservatives (8.0%), centrists (15.0%), and self-employed (15.4%).

Hong Joon-pyo, former leader of the Liberty Korea Party, has reemerged as a leading opposition candidate. Running as an independent in Daegu Suseong District in the recent general election, he was elected and recorded 7.6%, rising to third place for the first time. Hong's preference increased mainly in Gyeonggi·Incheon (7.0%), Seoul (8.9%), Daegu·Gyeongbuk (11.7%), age groups 20s (10.7%) and 30s (8.2%), 60 and over (8.1%), conservatives (18.9%), agriculture, forestry and fisheries (12.2%), homemakers (9.7%), and office workers (7.8%).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo recorded 4.9%, down 0.6 percentage points, ranking fifth, while former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon rose 1.5 percentage points to 4.7%, ranking sixth. Following them were Yoo Seung-min (3.3%, up 0.8 percentage points), Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae (2.1%, down 0.5 percentage points), Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon (2.0%, down 1.5 percentage points), Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong (2.0%, up 0.6 percentage points), Justice Party leader Shim Sang-jung (1.9%, down 0.1 percentage points), and lawmaker Kim Boo-kyum (1.7%, no change).

The survey contacted 56,661 adults aged 18 and over nationwide, with 2,552 completing the response, yielding a response rate of 4.5%. The sampling error is ±1.9 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. For more details, refer to the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission website.

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