KOREA TIMES POLL Koreans expect new president to revive economy with strong drive

President Lee Jae-myung enters the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, for a personnel briefing, Wednesday. Yonhap

Koreans expect the Lee Jae-myung government to carry out state affairs with administrative capacity and strong driving forces and use that power to revive the sluggish economy, a public opinion poll by The Korea Times showed, Saturday.

They also expressed concerns about the unchecked power of Lee and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and lingering legal controversies involving the president himself.

Such expectations and concerns were sharply divided according to respondents' political preferences, implying that uniting the nation, which has been sharply divided, especially since former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law fiasco last year, will be another major task for the new leader.

According to the poll conducted by Hankook Research at the request of The Korea Times after Lee's election, respondents mainly expect strong administrative skills and policy momentum from Lee’s administration, with 25 percent of 1,000 surveyed people highlighting these as key expectations.

Economic policies supportive of workers, small businesses and minority shareholders were also anticipated by 22 percent of respondents, closely followed by reforms targeting powerful institutions, notably the prosecution and judiciary, at 21 percent.

Graphic by Bae So-young

However, expectations split starkly along ideological lines. Conservative voters expressed notable skepticism, as reflected by their high nonresponse rate of 22 percent, suggesting minimal positive expectations for the Lee administration. Liberal voters, in contrast, had high expectations, especially regarding the importance of reforming the prosecution and other powerful institutions.

Concerns over the new government revolved mainly around the DPK’s extensive control over both the legislative and executive branches, which could potentially weaken democratic checks and balances, with 24 percent of total respondents picking the issue as a major concern.

Conservative respondents were particularly worried about risks associated with unchecked power, with 41 percent of the 198 responding conservative People Power Party (PPP) supporters selecting it as a concern, compared to 12 percent of 460 DPK supporters.

Liberal respondents, in contrast, expressed fewer immediate worries, with 38 percent of DPK supporters not specifying particular concerns.

Additionally, 13 percent of total respondents expressed concern about fiscal strain from expansive welfare policies, and another 13 percent cited fears of deepening societal divisions.

Graphic by Bae So-young

Tasks, risks facing new government

Public consensus was clearer on priority issues for the new government, with 34 percent citing economic recovery and improvement of public livelihood as the Lee administration’s most urgent task, against a backdrop of persistent economic uncertainty and weak domestic consumption.

The second-most pressing issue was addressing Yoon's martial law declaration and rooting out those responsible, with 26 percent stressing the urgency of resolving lingering tensions. This task was mentioned mostly by liberals, with DPK supporters even prioritizing the issue over economic revival.

Another 13 percent said addressing ongoing trade negotiations with the United States should be the top priority, while 12 percent cited the need to promote social integration.

Graphic by Bae So-young

As to the risks that could affect the new governments, 25 percent cited legal issues involving the president. Lee faces five trials, and on May 1, the Supreme Court sent his Election Law violation case back to the high court, implying the high court's non-guilty verdict was wrong and Lee was guilty. The high court plans to resume hearings within the month.

Reflecting stark ideological divisions, conservative respondents were particularly concerned about the president’s ongoing judicial risks, with 44 percent of 198 PPP supporters saying so, compared to 14 percent of 460 DPK supporters.

Conversely, liberal respondents emphasized concerns over external economic factors as risks or did not specify distinct anxieties.

The sluggish economy was another major risk facing the government, highlighted by 19 percent, followed by 15 percent who expressed worries about potential political backlash from investigations targeting Yoon, his wife and aides over martial law and personal corruption allegations.

Graphic by Bae So-young

Jang Seung-jin, a professor at Kookmin University, stressed the critical importance of restoring functional political processes, significantly weakened during the Yoon administration.

“The most critical task for Lee’s government is the restoration of politics itself,” Jang said. “While partisan conflicts may happen occasionally when rival parties vote for contentious bills, the essential aspect is the process. How the DPK, as the majority party, treats minority parties could substantially shift the political climate. It is crucial to engage opposition parties as genuine government partners, respecting them and striving for constructive dialogue.”

Observers widely agreed the administration’s early handling of these diverse concerns will be pivotal, determining its political stability, effectiveness and public trust in the long run.

The Korea Times commissioned the survey to gauge public sentiment. Hankook Research surveyed 1,000 adults nationwide in phone interviews on Wednesday and Thursday. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, with a credibility rate of 95 percent. Further details are available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission’s website.