In a Gallup Korea poll released on the 16th (conducted Oct. 13-15 among 1,003 voters aged 18 and over nationwide, by telephone interviewers, margin of error ±3.1 percentage points, response rate 10.4%), President Lee's approval was 39% and disapproval 52%. Approval rose 2 points from the previous survey (37%) and disapproval rose 1 point. The Financial News described it as a slight rebound from the term low of 37%.

Reasons given for approval were diplomacy (20%), the economy and livelihoods (11%) and communication (7%); for disapproval, real estate policy (19%), the response to the economy, livelihoods and the stock market (12%), and defense, security and North Korea (11%). The report said continued share-price declines had increased negative views of the market response. Among party supporters, Democratic Party backers were 74% positive and 21% negative, while People Power Party backers were 8% positive and 86% negative.

Regional differences

By region, disapproval exceeded approval everywhere except Honam (Gwangju, South and North Jeolla) and Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang. Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam was 46% positive and 43% negative; Seoul 29% and 62%; Daegu-North Gyeongsang 27% and 62%. In Daejeon, Sejong and Chungcheong, approval rose 12 points from 28% to 40%, though disapproval was 53%. The report gave no exact figure for Honam, saying only that approval led there.

Another poll found disapproval ahead even in Honam. In a survey commissioned by Penn & Mike from the pollster Yeoron Josa Gongjeong on Sept. 6-7 (1,015 adults nationwide, wireless ARS, response rate 2.1%, ±3.1 points), national approval was 34.6% and disapproval 62.8%, while Honam showed 43.8% approval and 53.6% disapproval. Because the method, timing and commissioning outlet differ, and the Honam sample size and error were not disclosed, it cannot be compared directly with Gallup's result.

The Chosun Ilbo ran an article on the 19th headlined ‘Everyone but Honam has turned away... why disapproval of Lee and Kim Min-seok has surged.’ The full text could not be reviewed in this reporting, so specific figures on Kim could not be confirmed. The headline indicates only that it pairs the president and Kim in examining the background to rising disapproval.

Party mood and the impeachment debate

In a Kyunghyang Shinmun article on the 18th titled ‘Kim Min-seok on impeaching Cho Hee-dae... party members skeptical,’ the paper reported that Kim, appearing on the party's YouTube channel Minjudang TV on the 16th, said many are calling for impeachment and that the party had begun discussing all available options and routes. As this was the first time the leadership had publicly raised impeaching the chief justice, some expect the discussion to become more formal. Spokesperson Lee Yong-woo told reporters on the 18th that the mood had gone beyond calling for resignation and that impeachment was one of several options; Rep. Kim Ki-pyo said grounds for impeachment were ample.

Some in the party are keeping their distance. According to the Kyunghyang Shinmun, some lawmakers saw the leadership's motive as rallying the base and feared a backlash while approval is falling. A second-term lawmaker called it meaningful for unity but unrealistic, and a lawmaker from the Seoul area said impeachment as an internal rallying device would set politics back and required broad review of the separation of powers and public opinion. Cho's term ends in June next year, and the paper assessed that momentum is weaker than during last year's controversy over the remand ruling in President Lee's case.

In sum, presidential approval has edged up from the high 30s but disapproval remains above half, and the governing party is divided over a hard line toward the judiciary. The reaction of the opposition People Power Party and the trend in follow-up polls such as Gallup's were not confirmed in this reporting.