Politics · South Korea · 21 hrs ago
South Korea’s Democratic Party faces lowest support since Lee government took office
South Korea’s Democratic Party has lost support while Kim Min-seok has been its leader for nearly two months.
A Gallup Korea poll put the party at 35%, down five percentage points from its previous poll and its lowest level since President Lee Jae-myung’s government took office.
Another poll found the opposition People Power Party narrowly ahead, within the margin of error.
Party members point to divisions among supporters as one reason for the decline, while the article also notes that the ongoing parliamentary audit period can be difficult for a governing party.
Kim had promised to raise the party’s support by 10 points within 100 days of taking office.
He is now reducing the length of some public remarks and putting more emphasis on meeting people and listening to concerns.
Recent efforts have included talks with farmers and coordination with the government over a planned survey of farmland.
South Korea’s Democratic Party recorded its lowest support since Lee Jae-myung’s government took office, according to a Gallup Korea poll reported by Yonhap.
The party’s support fell 5 percentage points to 35% in the poll conducted on October 9.
Some party members blamed divisions within the governing camp, while another analysis pointed to the timing of the National Assembly’s audit period.
Party leader Kim Min-seok has begun reducing the length of his public remarks and increasing outreach to voters and party members.
- Who
- South Korea’s Democratic Party, led by Kim Min-seok.
- What
- The party recorded its lowest support since Lee Jae-myung’s government took office, according to a Gallup Korea poll.
- When
- The poll was reported on October 9; the article was published on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- Party members cited divisions within the governing camp as a possible cause. Some also pointed to the National Assembly audit period.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The divisions from the party convention have not healed.
The audit is usually a difficult period for the ruling party.
A Gallup Korea poll found that 73% of liberal respondents supported the Democratic Party.
Kim Min-seok spoke for about 4,500 characters at an on-site party leadership meeting in North Chungcheong.
Kim called an emergency, closed-door meeting between the party and government on a planned survey of farmland.
Kim spoke for 590 characters at a party leadership meeting and met with farmers’ groups.
Kim visited an agricultural site in Anseong, and the government announced it would not order the disposal of farmland for violations not intended for speculation.
Gallup Korea recorded Democratic Party support at 35%, down 5 percentage points from its previous poll.
- Gallup Korea poll
- Democratic Party support: 35%
- Change in support
- Down 5 percentage points from the poll three weeks earlier
- Government context
- Lowest Democratic Party support since Lee Jae-myung’s government took office
- KSOI poll
- Democratic Party: 36.3%; People Power Party: 37.7%
- Kim’s remarks
- About 4,500 characters on September 11; 590 characters on October 7
Sources
Related news
South Korea says president visited golf course as Daegu ceiling collapsed
Lee says he will continue social media outreach and visits to local communities
South Korea’s interior minister orders inspection of regional investigation chief
South Korea parties trade accusations over lawmakers’ children
South Korea puts CPTPP membership application on hold this year
Policy reversals raise concerns about trust in South Korea’s government
South Korea faces criticism over rushed policies and repeated reversals
South Korea’s president says he will continue communicating through social media
South Korea’s ruling party divided over nominee for major crimes agency chief
Previously penalized firms won oversight contracts in 16 new-town districts
Democrats question whether Han Dong-hoon interfered in inquiry involving daughter
