The Opposition Loses 'TK Core Supporters' Following the 30s Generation... Aftermath of the 'Jeon Gwang-hoon Risk'

Realmeter Poll Results
TK 6.2%P, 30s 9.7%P↓
Leadership's Crisis Response Ability on Trial

The People Power Party is experiencing a sharp decline in approval ratings not only among the MZ generation, considered the casting vote for next year's parliamentary general election, but also in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region, the party's political stronghold. The combination of policy failures by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, including the 69-hour workweek, and a series of controversies involving the party leadership has led to the loss of the key support base known as the 'mountain rabbit.' Furthermore, ongoing internal strife surrounding the Jeon Gwang-hoon risk is causing even the party's traditional stronghold supporters to turn away.

According to a Realmeter poll on the 18th (for detailed information, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website), the People Power Party's approval rating in the TK region, known as the 'heart of conservatism,' dropped to 48.4%, down 6.2 percentage points from 54.6% the previous week. This is the first time since the fourth week of November last year (45.0%) that the party's support in TK has fallen below 50%.

The approval rating among people in their 30s fell even more sharply, dropping 9.7 percentage points from 36.6% last week to 26.9%. The party's overall approval rating declined by 3.1 percentage points from the previous week to 33.9%, approaching the lowest point since the Yoon administration began (33.8% in the third week of November). During the same period, the Democratic Party of Korea rose by 2.9 percentage points to 48.8%, widening the gap between the two parties to 14.9 percentage points.

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, along with the party leadership, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Inadequate Crisis Management Within the Party and Impact of Work Hour Reform

Inside and outside the party, the series of controversies over the past month is seen as a turning point that led conservative supporters to withdraw their backing. Kim Jae-won, the party's senior supreme council member, made disparaging remarks about the 'April 3rd commemoration day' and opposed including the 'May 18 spirit' in the preamble of the constitution, among other gaffes. During this process, his connection with Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of the Sarang Jeil Church, a far-right conservative leader, ignited internal conflicts. Hong Joon-pyo, mayor of Daegu and the party's standing advisor, called for a 'cut-off' from Pastor Jeon and disciplinary action against Kim, but party leader Kim Ki-hyun dismissed Mayor Hong from his advisory position, further escalating internal strife. Senior expert Baek Cheol-ho of Realmeter analyzed, "With consecutive controversies involving Kim Jae-won, the involvement of Pastor Jeon and Mayor Hong, former leader Lee Jun-seok joining in, and the controversy over Mayor Hong's dismissal as party standing advisor, internal conflicts are reaching a peak."

Yoo Sang-beom, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, also told reporters after the supreme council meeting the day before, "We are taking the (TK approval rating decline) very seriously," adding, "As you know, it is thought to be a complex result of various diplomatic issues and internal party controversies."

Some argue that even if the internal controversies are resolved, approval ratings may not rebound. Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy said, "The real issue is crisis management capability," adding, "You cannot suddenly develop crisis management skills by saying 'let's do better from now on.' Overcoming this crisis will not be easy."

Loss of MZ Generation Support Due to Work Hour Reform

The decline in support among people in their 30s is largely attributed to the reform of the work hour system, perceived as a '69-hour workweek.' The work hour reform plan announced by the party and government on the 6th of last month was perceived by the 20s and 30s age groups as instituting a '69-hour workweek,' negatively impacting the approval ratings of both the party and President Yoon Seok-yeol's administration. Although the party and government increased consultations with the private sector and within the party, claiming the framing was incorrect, they have not scrapped the reform plan. A People Power Party official said, "(The work hour reform) continues to have an impact," adding, "The party leadership is trying to appeal to youth with initiatives like a 1,000 won breakfast, but how much of an impression can that make?"

Kim Ki-hyun, the leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

There is also an opinion that a 'red team' should be formed to boost approval ratings before next year's general election. A red team refers to a group within an organization that plays the role of providing critical feedback. Professor Shin argued, "On the conservative side, the leadership is composed entirely of 'pro-Yoon' figures, which may lead to perceptions that not much is being done properly," adding, "What is needed now is to bring to the forefront people like Cheon Ha-ram and Kim Yong-tae, who can show that the party is not yet old." He continued, "While playing the role of the red team, the People Power Party should also appoint people who can demonstrate that it is vibrant."

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