72% of Citizens Say "Lee Jae-myung Does a Good Job"... Ranked 1st for 3 Consecutive Quarters Since First Half of Last Year

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, ranked first with an overwhelming 72% positive evaluation in the 2021 first half-year (January to June) job performance evaluation conducted among governors of 17 cities and provinces nationwide. Accordingly, Governor Lee has recorded first place for three consecutive half-year terms since the first half of 2020.

In a survey conducted by Gallup Korea from January to June this year (May to June for Seoul and Busan) through telephone interviewer interviews targeting 19,128 men and women aged 18 and over nationwide, Governor Lee Jae-myung received a 72% positive evaluation (doing a good job), ranking first. Governor Lee is the only metropolitan government head to receive over 70% positive evaluation in this survey.

Second place was taken by Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do (67%). Following were Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju (59%), Lee Si-jong, Governor of Chungcheongbuk-do (58%), Yang Seung-jo, Governor of Chungcheongnam-do (57%), and Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul (56%). Song Ha-jin, Governor of Jeollabuk-do (55%), Park Hyung-joon, Mayor of Busan, and Heo Tae-jeong, Mayor of Daejeon (each 53%), Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do, and Choi Moon-soon, Governor of Gangwon-do (each 52%), and Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do (51%) remained in the mid-range. Kwon Young-jin, Mayor of Daegu (47%), Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju (44%), Song Cheol-ho, Mayor of Ulsan, and Park Nam-chun, Mayor of Incheon (each 43%) received positive evaluations below 50%.

The high positive evaluation of Governor Lee is interpreted as due to his bold implementation of tangible administrative policies and high achievements.

Governor Lee was in the lower ranks with 42% positive and 38% negative in the first half survey after the launch of the 7th local government in July 2018. However, through steadfast tangible administration such as COVID-19 response and river valley maintenance projects in 2020, he succeeded in leading an overwhelming positive evaluation and building the brand of 'Lee Jae-myung who does a good job.'

In this survey, the positive evaluation rate by gender for Governor Lee was 73% for men and 70% for women, with men rating him higher than women. Also, by political inclination, conservatives gave 60% and moderates 72%. It is notable that the positive evaluation of Governor Lee increased among conservative respondents.

By age group, those in their 40s gave an overwhelming 81%. This was followed by those in their 50s (72%), 30s (76%), and teens to 20s (67%). Positive evaluation among those aged 60 and over was relatively low at 63%.

By occupation, self-employed persons (75%) who support the promotion of local currency and farmers, fishermen, and forestry workers (75%) benefiting from the introduction of basic income for farmers showed high positive evaluation rates.

A representative from Governor Lee’s side explained, "Through public opinion polls by both Realmeter and Gallup, Governor Lee’s image as a 'competent governor' is being established. The fact that Lee, who came from the outskirts as Mayor of Seongnam and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, has grown into a leading presidential candidate of the ruling party is also the result of showing bold policy implementation capabilities and their outcomes to the residents and receiving evaluations, as reflected in the polls."

The sampling error of this survey is ±1.3 to 8.8 percentage points by each of the 17 cities and provinces (95% confidence level), and the average response rate is 15%.

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