South Korea's ruling Democratic Party tops poll, broadening appeal to moderates

A Korea Gallup poll released this week shows the ruling Democratic Party with 47 percent support among survey respondents, up one point from the previous reading. The main opposition People Power Party trails at 20 percent, down one point. Parties outside the five major groups collectively register small shares, while those with no party preference rise to 28 percent. The results come as President Yoon Suk Yeol’s approval rating has been cited as high in recent coverage, though the poll focused on party support rather than the president’s rating directly.

The poll, conducted March 10–12, surveyed 1,002 adults nationwide by telephone with mobile numbers, using a one-question party preference measure and a follow-up question for party familiarity. The overall sample size and methodology are standard for Korea Gallup, with a reported margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. In addition to the two largest parties, 2 percent cited Jokuk Innovation Party, 1 percent cited Progressive Party, and 1 percent cited Reform Party, while 28 percent said they had no party preference.

Regional and age breakdowns reveal a more complex picture. In Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the People Power Party leads with 44 percent to the Democratic Party’s 21 percent. In Seoul, the Democratic Party leads 42 percent to 21 percent for the People Power Party; in Busan–Ulsan–Gyeongnam, 42 percent back the Democratic Party versus 25 percent for the People Power Party. Among respondents aged 70 and older, the Democratic Party also leads but the gap narrows to 42 percent for the DP and 31 percent for the People Power Party.

A separate look at party favorability shows the Democratic Party with the highest favorable rating at 50 percent, while 39 percent view it unfavorably. The People Power Party enjoys 19 percent favorable and 70 percent unfavorable. Among the smaller parties, Jokuk Innovation Party has 25 percent favorable and 60 percent unfavorable; Progressive Party at 17 percent favorable and 63 percent unfavorable; Reform Party at 9 percent favorable and 76 percent unfavorable. Compared with December, Democratic Party favorability rose by four points, while favorability for the People Power Party and Reform Party fell by five points each.

Within the “in-house” five parties in the National Assembly, the Democratic Party remains the most favored in the center and among moderates. Center respondents show the Democratic Party favored by 56 percent, Jokuk Innovation Party by 27 percent, Progressive Party by 17 percent, People Power Party by 15 percent, and Reform Party by 8 percent. The poll’s authors note that the Democratic Party’s potential support base appears to have broadened from core supporters to include moderates, a dynamic that contrasts with the relatively weaker appeal of the People Power Party among those same voters.

For international readers, the significance lies in how Korea’s ruling party is consolidating support across urban and suburban electorates, and how opposition forces appear regionally and among different demographic groups. A stronger Democratic Party could influence Korea’s approach to alliance priorities with the United States, including security commitments, defense cost-sharing discussions, and cooperation on technology and supply chains in areas such as semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. The regional and age dynamics also flag potential political frictions that could affect policy continuity on diplomacy, economic policy, and national security.

Overall, the poll provides a snapshot of domestic political sentiment during a period of active party activity and reform discussions. While regional loyalties and party favorability shift, the Democratic Party currently holds the strongest overall standing, with a notable ability to attract moderates, which may shape Korea’s policy posture on issues of security, technology export rules, and alliance coordination with the United States.