In a poll released on the 17th, results show that Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, is leading as the most preferred candidate for the next presidential election, surpassing candidates from both ruling and opposition parties. The poll suggests that the public favors a change in the administration over its continuation, with 55.5% supporting regime change led by the opposition, compared to 40.0% supporting the ruling party’s continuation.
The survey, conducted by Realmeter for Energy Economy News, asked 1,510 voters nationwide over the age of 18 about the most suitable presidential candidate. Lee Jae-myung led with 46.9%, while Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo was second with 18.1%. Other notable figures included Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu, with 6.5%; former Leader of the People Power Party Han Dong-hoon with 6.3%; and Mayor of Seoul Oh Se-hoon with 6.2%.
In hypothetical individual matchups, Lee Jae-myung also led against all major ruling party contenders, including Kim Moon-soo (51.7% vs. 30.7%), Oh Se-hoon (51.8% vs. 25.6%), Hong Joon-pyo (52.3% vs. 25.0%), and Han Dong-hoon (51.8% vs. 18.6%).
Party preference indicated 44.3% for the Democratic Party and 39.0% for the People Power Party, with the gap widening from last week’s 1.7% to 5.3%, beyond the margin of error.
The survey was conducted using a 100% wireless automated response method, with a sample error of ±2.5% at a 95% confidence level and a response rate of 7.2%. Further details are available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission’s website.