Kim Min-seok, Han Dong-hoon top 'least favorable politician' poll while leading presidential race

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon — who lead the progressive and conservative camps, respectively, in presidential preference polls — have also topped a survey asking respondents which politician they find least favorable.

A poll conducted Monday through Tuesday by Korea Information Research asked 1,001 adults aged 18 and older nationwide to name the politician they find least appealing. Kim ranked first at 20.9%, with Han second at 18.5%.

The gap between the two was 2.4 percentage points, within the poll's margin of error. The result reflects a pattern in which politicians with high name recognition as prospective national leaders also draw concentrated unfavorability from the opposing camp.

People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jin-suk recorded 16.0%, followed by Rebuilding Korea Party policy research institute head Cho Guk at 12.2%. People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok came in at 10.7%, and Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Chung-rae at 10.6%. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon registered 4.3%, and former presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik 1.0%.

Results varied by age group. Among respondents aged 18 to 29, Jung topped the list at 17.1%, followed by Lee at 16.1%, Han at 15.9% and Kim at 15.4%. Among those in their 30s, Kim led at 30.7%, with Cho at 15.0% and Han at 13.3%.

In the 40s and 50s age brackets, Han recorded the highest unfavorability at 23.9% and 25.9%, respectively. Among respondents in their 40s, Kim came in at 19.9% and Lee at 17.1%; among those in their 50s, Kim registered 17.2% and Lee 13.8%. In the 60s bracket, Lee led at 22.8%, followed by Kim at 19.4% and Han at 17.8%. Among respondents aged 70 and older, Kim ranked highest at 23.8%.

By region, Kim drew the highest unfavorability in every area except Honam and Jeju. In Seoul, Kim recorded 23.2%, Lee 15.5% and Han 14.4%. In Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, Kim led at 20.0%, followed by Han at 18.9% and Lee at 16.8%.

In Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province, Kim again topped the list at 21.1%, with Han at 18.9% and Lee at 16.7%. In Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, Kim led at 20.3%, while Jung and Han each recorded 18.3%. In the Chungcheong provinces and Gangwon Province, Kim came in at 25.2% and Han at 22.0%. In Honam and Jeju, Lee led at 21.4%, followed by Han at 19.2% and Jang at 18.0%.

The poll was commissioned by Cheonji Ilbo and conducted entirely via automated response using wireless random-digit dialing. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Full details are available on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.