Lee 41.9% - Yoon 42.4%... 0.5%p Difference in 'Ultra-Close' Race

Ahn Cheol-soo Drops to 7.2% Amid Ultra-Close Race Within Margin of Error
Sim Sang-jung Records 2%

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is preparing for a broadcast at the "2022 Presidential Candidate Invitation Debate" hosted by the Korea Journalists Association and jointly organized by six broadcasting companies, held on the afternoon of the 11th at the Maeil Business Newspaper Media Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] A poll released on the 16th showed that Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, and Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party presidential candidate, are engaged in an ultra-close race with a difference of '0.5 percentage points.'

According to a survey conducted by Hangil Research, a professional polling agency, commissioned by Cookie News, from February 12 to 14, 1,009 adults aged 18 and over nationwide were surveyed (with a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points) on 'next presidential preference (multi-candidate race).' The results showed that candidate Lee's support rose by 1.5 percentage points from the previous survey (February 2) to 41.9%. Candidate Yoon recorded 42.4%, up 3.9 percentage points. The gap between the two candidates' approval ratings was 0.5 percentage points, indicating an ultra-tight race within the margin of error.

Both sides showed strengths in their traditional support bases. Candidate Lee received high support in the Honam region (68.2%), among people in their 40s (51.0%) and 50s (51.3%), Democratic Party supporters (87.0%), and progressive-leaning respondents (70.4%). Candidate Yoon showed strength in Daegu-Gyeongbuk (57.2%), those aged 60 and above (52.2%), People Power Party supporters (90.6%), and conservative-leaning respondents (69.3%).

Ahn Cheol-soo, the People's Party presidential candidate, received 7.2%, Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, 2.0%, and others/no preferred candidate/don't know/no response accounted for 6.6%. Candidate Ahn's support fell by 1.0 percentage point compared to the previous survey. After reaching a peak of 11% in early January, his support has continued to decline to 10%, then 8.2%.

When asked whether respondents who have a preferred candidate would continue to support that candidate, 87.1% answered they intend to continue their support. Those who said they might change their choice accounted for 12.0%, and 1.0% responded with don't know/no answer.

Regarding the nature of the presidential election, 50.7% said 'the opposition party, such as the People Power Party, should bring about a regime change,' while 40.6% said 'the ruling party, the Democratic Party, should recreate the regime.' Others/don't know accounted for 8.8%. The desire for regime change rose by 4.3 percentage points compared to the previous survey, while the desire for regime continuation fell by 0.3 percentage points.

Regarding 'opposition party unification,' 40.4% supported candidate Yoon, while 33.4% supported candidate Ahn. Respondents without a preferred candidate accounted for 23.0%, and don't know/no response was 3.1%.

For detailed survey methodology and results, please refer to the Hangil Research or the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission websites.

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