7 out of 10 Citizens Say "President Yoon Intervenes in the Ruling Party Leadership Election"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] A public opinion poll revealed that 7 out of 10 people believe 'President Yoon Seok-yeol is interfering in the People Power Party's leadership election.' Regarding the Itaewon tragedy, which occurred 100 days ago, the majority opinion is that the investigation into the cause of the disaster and punishment of those responsible have not been properly carried out.

According to a poll released on the 10th by Media Tomato (conducted by wireless ARS from the 6th to the 8th on 1,031 adults aged 18 and over nationwide, commissioned by News Tomato), when asked about 'how they judge whether President Yoon is interfering in the People Power Party leadership election,' 70.4% of respondents (53.7% explicitly interfering, 16.7% interfering to a considerable extent) answered that he is interfering.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is entering the event hall on the 8th at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul to present appointment letters and commission certificates to Yoo Hong-rim, President of Seoul National University, and Kim Young-mi, Vice Chair of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee, respectively.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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The opinion that he is maintaining neutrality was 19.2%, and the opinion that he is not interfering was 6.8% (3.4% not interfering to a considerable extent, 3.4% not interfering at all).

Notably, among the conservative group known as President Yoon's support base, more than half believed that President Yoon is interfering in the leadership election. Among those who identified as conservatives, 51.9% (32.2% explicitly interfering, 19.7% interfering to a considerable extent) responded that President Yoon is interfering in the leadership election. Among People Power Party supporters, 40.1% (18.2% explicitly interfering, 21.9% interfering to a considerable extent) also viewed President Yoon as interfering in the leadership election.

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In the poll asking who is most suitable as the next leader of the People Power Party, candidate Ahn Cheol-soo ranked first with 33.9%. Following him were candidate Kim Ki-hyun with 21.1% in second place, and candidate Chun Ha-ram with 15.9% in third place. Candidates Hwang Kyo-ahn (4.4%), Yoon Sang-hyun (2.2%), and Cho Kyung-tae (1.9%) followed.

When narrowed down to People Power Party supporters (412 out of 1,031), candidate Kim's support rate was 44.9%, ranking first. Candidate Ahn was second with 32.6%, and candidate Hwang was third with 6.9%. Candidates Chun (5.1%), Yoon (2.1%), and Cho (1.1%) followed in order.

This People Power Party leadership election on March 8 adopts a method where 100% of the party members elect the leader, excluding general public opinion polls, making the intentions of party members absolutely important.

Regarding whether the investigation into the Itaewon tragedy and punishment of those responsible have been sufficiently carried out 100 days after the incident, 58.2% answered that it has not been sufficient. Those who answered it was sufficient accounted for 33.5%, and 8.3% were unsure.

Regarding the opposition party's push for hearings and a state audit over suspicions that fortune teller Cheongong interfered in the selection of the presidential residence, 56.6% of the public opinion said it is necessary, while 34.4% said it is not necessary.

For detailed survey outlines and results, please refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.

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