With Uri in a slump, Grand National approval strong at 44%
The approval ratings for the ruling Uri Party fell below 10 percent for the first time, according to a survey. At the same time, the ratings for two minor opposition parties - the Millennium Democratic Party and the Democratic Labor Party - remained the same. A survey, commissioned by Joins.com and Media Daum and performed by the firm Research & Research on November 22, found that the national approval rating for the main opposition Grand National Party was 44.3 percent, compared with the Uri Party's 8.8 percent. These figures mark the first time the ruling party's approval ratings have fallen below 10 percent since the party was established in November 2004. The ratings for the Millennium Democratic Party and the Democratic Labor Party were 8.5 percent and 8.4 percent, respectively. Statistically, the approval ratings for the three parties were the same because the survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points. During the failed impeachment proceedings against President Roh Moo-hyun in early 2004, the party's approval ratings soared as high as 50.1 percent. However, the rating continued to fall and touched the 10-percent level during the Uri's local elections losses in May this year. An Uri Party official said, "More people were seen as withdrawing their support from us because our future looks uncertain due to debates over political realignment," referring to talk within the party of a split and formation of a new party in order to distance itself from President Roh."I think the ratings may rebound if the political realignment issue is resolved," the official continued. Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]
