[Comprehensive] "The side that raised Prosecutor Yoon is the 'violent ruling party'"... How long will the 'Yoon Seok-yeol phenomenon' last?

Hangil Research Survey... Yoon 24.7% Lee Nak-yeon 22.2% Lee Jae-myung 18.4%

Yoon Seok-yeol, Prosecutor General. [Yonhap News Archive Photo]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's ranking first in the presidential candidate preference survey drew criticism from the ruling party, which said it was the result of his self-centered politics. The opposition emphasized it was a reflection of the Democratic Party's mistakes. Some even called it the "Yoon Seok-yeol phenomenon."

According to the results of a next presidential candidate preference survey conducted by Hangil Research, commissioned by Cookie News, from the 7th to the 9th targeting 1,022 adults nationwide (confidence level 95%, margin of error ±3.1 percentage points), Prosecutor General Yoon's approval rating was 24.7%. Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, recorded 22.2%, and Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi Province, 18.4%.

This is the first time Prosecutor General Yoon ranked first overall among both ruling and opposition parties. According to the survey results, Yoon's approval rating was mainly strong in areas where the Democratic Party is usually weak.

By region, the order was Chungcheong (33.8%), Busan·Ulsan·Gyeongnam (30.4%), Daegu·Gyeongbuk (27.3%). By age group, support was high among those aged 60 and above (31.8%) and those in their 20s (25.5%).

From the left, Yoon Seok-yeol, Prosecutor General, Lee Nak-yeon, Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province [Image source=Yonhap News]

The ruling party immediately downplayed Prosecutor General Yoon's achievement of ranking first in approval ratings while criticizing him.

On the 11th, Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae said at the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Special Committee, "Prosecutor General Yoon has risen to number one in the presidential candidate (poll) today, but I think he should resign and enter politics."

Democratic Party lawmaker Roh Woong-rae also pointed out in a post on his Facebook that "(Prosecutor General Yoon) wore the mask of justice and wielded the sword of prosecution for his own politics."

Within the opposition, voices diagnosing Prosecutor General Yoon's first-place ranking in the presidential candidate preference survey as the "Yoon Seok-yeol phenomenon" also emerged.

People Power Party lawmaker Jang Je-won analyzed the current situation on his Facebook, saying, "Prosecutor General Yoon has risen to number one among next presidential candidates. It would not be an exaggeration to call it the 'Yoon Seok-yeol phenomenon.' The side that nurtured Yoon as a strong presidential candidate was the 'reckless ruling party,' and the side that gave him wings was the 'fragmented opposition.' Yoon is enduring attacks while accurately catching two rabbits: 'internal unity within the prosecution' and 'public support.'"

Fellow party member Kim Ki-hyun wrote on his Facebook the same day, "Seeing the news that Prosecutor General Yoon ranked first in the presidential candidate approval ratings, I could confirm how great the public's anger and disappointment toward the established political circles are, and how much they desire regime change," adding, "I am truly sorry."

He continued, "I feel apologetic for blatantly showing the opposition's helplessness, which still cannot present an alternative figure despite these public sentiments."

He added, "On the other hand, I am truly grateful. If we make more efforts, establish alternative figures with a spirit of putting the public interest first, and regain trust, it gives hope that the public will empower the anti-Moon coalition forces. We will strive diligently."

Regarding this "Yoon Seok-yeol phenomenon," there is also a view that it is a reflection caused by the Democratic Party and the current administration's mistakes.

People Power Party floor leader Joo Ho-young said after attending the 'Detective Business Act Legislative Direction and Strategy Seminar' at the National Assembly, "Polls change, so I don't want to put too much meaning into it, but the fact that Yoon, who is not currently active in politics, has risen in approval ratings is seen as a public backlash against this government's tyranny and Minister Choo Mi-ae's behavior."

Kim Geun-sik, head of the People Power Party Songpa District Committee, analyzed on his Facebook, "The Democratic Party's delusion and arrogance, which are out of touch with public sentiment, are nurturing Yoon. Minister Choo's stubbornness and obstinacy made Yoon number one."

Regarding Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Cheong-rae's claim that "It is the first time a sitting prosecutor general is number one in a presidential candidate poll, but also the first time the main opposition party's presidential candidate is not even ranked. The People Power Party has disappeared," Kim said, "Please be reasonable. It is not that the People Power Party disappeared, but that the Democratic Party was sidelined, and Lee Nak-yeon and Lee Jae-myung disappeared."

Meanwhile, this survey was conducted by Hangil Research using a questionnaire method (23% landline telephone interviews, 77% wireless ARS, random RDD sampling) commissioned by Cookie News. The response rate was 3.8%, with a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

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