Democratic Party leads People Power Party by 21 points amid convention buzz [Gallup]

A recent opinion poll reveals a significant widening of the political divide in South Korea, with the Democratic Party holding a 21 percentage point lead over the People Power Party. The Democratic Party garnered 44% support, while the People Power Party registered 23% in the survey conducted by Korea Gallup from July 21-23.

This marks a notable shift from the previous week, when the gap had narrowed to 12 percentage points. The latest figures show the Democratic Party's support increasing from 40% to 44%, while the People Power Party's support saw a decline from 26% to 23%.

Gallup analysts suggest that the upcoming national convention for the Democratic Party, scheduled for August, is a key factor behind this surge. Historically, parties tend to experience a temporary increase in public support in the lead-up to their conventions, a trend observed in March 2023 and August 2024. The poll also indicated support for the other parties: the Rebuilding Korea Party at 2%, the Reform Party at 2%, and the Progressive Party at 1%. A substantial 27% of respondents remained undecided or unaffiliated with any party.

The survey involved 1,003 adults aged 18 and older and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Detailed findings are available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission website.