South Korea’s Democratic Party leads national poll; President Yoon’s approval at 67%
A national survey released this month shows the Democratic Party ahead of the main opposition People Power Party in nationwide party preference, with the Democrats around 43% and the People Power Party hovering in the mid-teens. President Yoon Suk Yeol’s job approval remains strong at 67%, unchanged from the previous reading.
In the Daegu–Gyeongbuk (TK) region, the Democratic Party leads by about four percentage points, with 29% support versus 25% for the People Power Party. This marks a shift from two weeks earlier, when both parties stood at 28% in that region.
Nationally, the Democratic Party’s support slipped two points from the prior poll, while the People Power Party stayed at about 17%. The president’s approval rating stayed at 67%, with 66% saying they trust his administration and 29% saying they do not.
When asked about the upcoming local elections, 50% of respondents said the ruling party should be empowered to maintain government stability, while 35% favored empowering the opposition to provide checks on the administration.
On the timing of administrative integration plans for Chungnam–Daejeon and the TK region, 55% said the consolidation should occur after the local elections, and 27% urged moving quickly.
Regarding the three judiciary reform bills—described by supporters as addressing distortions in law and increasing judicial capacity—the survey found 42% saying they are necessary, while 41% said they are concerning or potentially worrisome.
The survey was conducted by Embrain Public, Case & Stat Research, Korea Research, and Korea Research using mobile-phone interviews. It polled 1,002 nationwide adults aged 18 or older from the 9th to the 11th of the month, with a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level and a 17.3% response rate. Full details are available on the national poll oversight site.
Why this matters for international audiences, including the United States: Korea’s domestic political climate shapes its policy choices on security, economy, and regulatory matters that affect U.S.-Korea ties. A stable government with broad presidential support can influence decisions on defense cost-sharing, alliance diplomacy, and how Korea engages in global supply chains for semiconductors and advanced technologies. Regional shifts, such as the TK region showing continued Democratic gains, may signal changes in regulatory or governance priorities that could impact foreign investment and business planning. Public views on judiciary reform also matter for the investment climate and contract enforcement, both of which bear on U.S. firms operating in Korea.