President Moon's Approval Rating Drops Moderately to 55%... 'North Korea Issue' Tops Negative Evaluations [Gallup]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] A public opinion poll revealed that President Moon Jae-in's approval rating for his administration has dropped significantly, falling into the 50% range. This decline is interpreted as being influenced by the inter-Korean conflict triggered by North Korea's demolition of the Kaesong Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office.

According to Gallup Korea, a survey conducted from the 16th to the 18th among 1,001 adults aged 18 and older showed that 55% of respondents gave a positive evaluation of President Moon's job performance, announced on the 19th. This is a 5 percentage point decrease from the previous week. Conversely, negative evaluations rose by 3 percentage points to 35%.

By age group, the positive/negative ratings were 53%/32% for ages 18-29 (hereafter '20s'), 60%/34% for 30s, 67%/27% for 40s, 55%/39% for 50s, and 47%/41% for those 60 and older.

The decline in positive ratings this week was particularly notable in Daegu-Gyeongbuk (51%→33%), Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (56%→43%), and among those in their 30s (71%→60%). By gender, changes were more pronounced among women (61%→54%) than men (59%→57%).

Looking at support by political party, 88% of supporters of the Democratic Party of Korea evaluated the president's job performance positively, while 82% of supporters of the United Future Party evaluated it negatively. Among those without party affiliation (independents), negative ratings were also higher, and the gap between positive and negative evaluations widened compared to last week.

When asked why they positively evaluated the president's job performance (553 respondents), the reasons were 'response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)' (42%), 'generally doing well' (9%), 'doing their best/working hard' (7%), 'expansion of welfare' (4%), 'North Korea relations', and 'diplomacy/international relations' (both 3%). COVID-19 related responses have been the top reason for positive evaluations for 19 consecutive weeks.

Among those who negatively evaluated the job performance (352 respondents), the reasons cited were 'North Korea relations' (29%), 'lack of solutions to economic and livelihood issues' (16%), 'North Korean nuclear and security issues' (8%), 'generally inadequate' (6%), 'authoritarian/one-sided/biased' (5%), 'inadequate COVID-19 response' (4%), 'real estate policy', 'tax increases', and 'lack of conviction/being swayed by public opinion' (all 3%).

Notably, the top reason for negative evaluations had been economic and livelihood issues for 10 consecutive weeks until last week, but this week it shifted to North Korea-related issues. Mentions of 'North Korea relations, North Korean nuclear and security' surged starting last week, which is analyzed as a response to North Korea's continued hostile statements and provocations, including criticism of leaflet distribution on the 4th, complete severance of inter-Korean communication channels on the 9th, and the demolition of the Kaesong Inter-Korean Liaison Office on the 16th, signaling a breakdown in relations and military provocations.

Party support was 43% for the Democratic Party of Korea, 19% for the United Future Party, and 5% for the Justice Party. The People Party and Open Democratic Party each recorded 3%.

By political orientation, 71% of progressives supported the Democratic Party of Korea, while 43% of conservatives supported the United Future Party. Among moderates, 41% supported the Democratic Party of Korea, 15% supported the United Future Party, and 29% did not specify a party. The proportion of independents was highest among those in their 20s at 40%.

Meanwhile, in a public opinion survey on the appropriateness of private organizations distributing leaflets to North Korea, 29% thought it was 'an acceptable action,' while 60% thought it was 'an action that should not be done.' Eleven percent withheld their opinion.

Most respondent groups predominantly held a negative view, considering leaflet distribution to North Korea as 'an action that should not be done.' However, among supporters of the United Future Party, half (53%) responded that it was 'an acceptable action,' showing a relatively receptive attitude toward leaflet distribution.

Regarding the government's response to private organizations distributing leaflets to North Korea, 57% said 'the government should block it,' while 29% said 'the government should not block it.' Fourteen percent withheld their opinion.

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