{"id":2208666,"date":"2025-03-07T19:07:08","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T10:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2208666"},"modified":"2025-03-10T18:26:43","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T09:26:43","slug":"south-korean-opposition-regains-momentum-but-yoon-arrest-ruling-muddies-outlook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2025\/03\/south-korean-opposition-regains-momentum-but-yoon-arrest-ruling-muddies-outlook\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korean opposition regains momentum, but Yoon arrest ruling muddies outlook"},"content":{"rendered":"
South Korea\u2019s main opposition Democratic Party (DP) has regained momentum after losing ground in January, recent polling data suggests, as growing concerns over the economy, strategic messaging and impeachment proceedings drive changes in public opinion at a sensitive political moment for the country.<\/span><\/p>\n But the Seoul Central District Court ruled on Friday that President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s arrest was procedurally flawed, potentially leading to his release from custody, and the development could alter public sentiment ahead of the Constitutional Court\u2019s expected impeachment ruling next week.<\/span><\/p>\n Though the ruling does not assess the severity of Yoon\u2019s Dec. 3 martial law declaration, it will likely embolden his supporters and shape political dynamics in the days ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n With the Constitutional Court set to issue a verdict that could either remove or reinstate Yoon, the coming weeks are likely to be politically volatile, but strong centrist voter support for impeachment suggests that the opposition has the upper hand.<\/span><\/p>\n DEMOCRATIC PARTY REGAINS LEAD<\/b><\/p>\n In early March, the DP overtook the ruling People Power Party (PPP) in National Barometer Survey (NBS) <\/span>polling<\/span><\/a> for the first time since January, when Yoon\u2019s arrest on Jan. 15 <\/span>temporarily united<\/span><\/a> conservative voters.<\/span><\/p>\n According to the latest data, the DP stands at 35% compared to the PPP\u2019s 34%, within the margin of error. Gallup Korea\u2019s polling shows a more decisive lead, with DP support at 40% and PPP at 36%.<\/span><\/p>\n A key factor in this shift may have been DP leader Lee Jae-myung\u2019s <\/span>Feb. 18 declaration<\/span><\/a> that his party represents \u201ccentrist conservative\u201d values rather than traditional progressivism. This strategic repositioning appears to have resonated with moderate voters, particularly as the country\u2019s economic and security uncertainty grows.<\/span><\/p>\n The PPP\u2019s support, which had remained steady at around 37% in February, has since declined by three percentage points. Meanwhile, the proportion of undecided voters has risen from 17% to 20%, suggesting increased political uncertainty amid the impeachment proceedings and the possibility of an early presidential election.<\/span><\/p>\n Main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung | Image: Democratic Party of Korea<\/a>, edited by Korea Pro<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n ECONOMIC CONCERNS INFLUENCE POLLING<\/b><\/p>\n Economic conditions may have played a crucial role in voter sentiment.<\/span><\/p>\n The Bank of Korea\u2019s recent <\/span>interest rate cut<\/span><\/a> and downward revision of GDP growth forecasts have heightened concerns about financial stability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The timing of these developments, coinciding with Yoon\u2019s <\/span>final martial law defense statement<\/span><\/a> and U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s hardening trade policy, likely contributed to growing discontent among voters who prioritize economic stability.<\/span><\/p>\n Further complicating matters for the ruling party, revelations from leaked conversations between <\/span>Myung Tae-gyun<\/span><\/a>, a self-described political broker, and the first lady on Feb. 24 have fueled allegations of corruption. While the full impact of these disclosures remains unclear, they have added to a growing number of centrist voters\u2019 distrust in the Yoon administration and the PPP.<\/span><\/p>\n IMPEACHMENT SUPPORT REMAINS STEADY \u2014 FOR NOW<\/b><\/p>\n Despite conservative protests and Yoon\u2019s legal team denouncing the impeachment process as fraudulent, public support for his removal has remained stable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n NBS polling shows impeachment support at 56% in early March, up slightly from 55% in mid-February after weeks of gradual decline. Meanwhile, <\/span>Gallup Korea<\/span><\/a> has consistently measured impeachment support at around 60%.<\/span><\/p>\n Notably, support for Yoon\u2019s removal from office among centrist voters is at over 70%. This demographic has also shown a consistent preference for a transition of power in the next presidential election, with 61% to 62% favoring a DP-led government, more than double the support for continued conservative rule.<\/span><\/p>\n Public confidence in the Constitutional Court\u2019s handling of the impeachment process has also stabilized. NBS polling shows trust in the court rebounding from a dip in late February, when it fell from 55% to 52%, before recovering to 54% in early March.<\/span><\/p>\n The large-scale protests among pro- and anti-Yoon protesters that erupted across major cities on March 1 appear to have had a minimal impact on centrist voters. This suggests both camps have likely reached their peak influence, with little room for further impact.<\/span><\/p>\n