[Public Opinion Briefing 26-4] Strong Caution Against Pushing Forward with the Grand Korean Waterway

[Public Opinion Briefing 26] "Post-General Election Political Climate: The Need for Harmonious Leadership"

[1] Public Sentiment in the General Election as Seen Through Split Voting - Kim Min-jeon

[2] Lessons from Declining Voter Turnout, the Sentiment of Hidden Non-Voters - Lee Hyun-woo

[3] The Future of the Grand National Party Defectors and President Lee's Leadership - Seo Hyun-jin

[4] Strong Caution Against Pushing Forward with the Grand Korean Waterway - Yoo Sung-jin

Post-General Election National Task 2 for the Lee Myung-bak Administration.

Strong Caution Against Pushing Forward with the Grand Korean Waterway

Calls for Harmonious Leadership Over Strong Driving Force

Yoo Sung-jin (Ewha Womans University, Political Science BK21)

By granting the ruling Grand National Party a majority of seats, the public has created an environment for the Lee Myung-bak administration to operate stably. However, by supporting pro-Park Geun-hye candidates and independent candidates in Yeongnam, the Grand National Party's traditional stronghold, and by favoring the Democratic Party and the Liberty Forward Party in Chungcheong, the public has established checks against the forceful political maneuvering seen during the nomination process and the early days of the administration. Public opinion data from a panel survey conducted immediately after the general election sends an even clearer warning message regarding the Grand Korean Waterway, an issue that has emerged as a key issue in the post-election political landscape.

Should the Grand Korean Waterway be pursued?

When asked how the Lee Myung-bak administration should proceed with the Grand Korean Waterway project after the general election, 66.6% of respondents expressed opposition, while only 25.5% were in favor. This negative public sentiment towards the Grand Korean Waterway holds greater significance when compared to previous panel survey results. Following the presidential election, public opinion on the Grand Korean Waterway was evenly split at 43.1% versus 45.6%. By the eve of the general election, opposition had begun to gain the upper hand at 30% versus 57.9%. In the current survey, this gap has widened considerably, with two out of three people holding a negative stance on the Grand Korean Waterway project.

[Figure 1] Trend of Public Opinion on the Grand Korean Waterway

Note 1. Comprehensive results from the 3rd, 4th, and 6th rounds of the presidential election panel surveys and the 1st and 2nd rounds of the general election panel surveys.

The Grand Korean Waterway: If Pursued, How?

This negative public sentiment is also reflected in opinions regarding the government's approach to the Grand Korean Waterway project post-election. When asked how the Lee Myung-bak administration should handle the Grand Korean Waterway project after the general election, 62.3% of respondents stated that the feasibility of the project should be reassessed or that it should not be pursued at all. In contrast, only half of that (32.4%) suggested that it should be pursued cautiously after gathering public opinion. The fact that only 5% of all respondents answered that the project should proceed as originally planned, as it was a campaign pledge, symbolically illustrates how much public sentiment has soured regarding the Grand Korean Waterway.

[Figure 2] Opinions on the Method of Pursuing the Grand Korean Waterway Project







The Grand Korean Waterway and Presidential Leadership: Calls for Leadership of Stability and Harmony Over Strong National Governance

This public sentiment regarding the Grand Korean Waterway becomes even more interesting when examined in conjunction with the desired future governance style for President Lee Myung-bak. When asked what type of leadership they desired from President Lee Myung-bak going forward, 43.7% of respondents called for leadership focused on stability and harmony, while leadership styles focused on strong national governance and the practical CEO approach garnered 23.4% and 29.2% respectively, indicating that the majority of the public desires a president who embodies stability and harmony.

Opinions on the method of pursuing the Grand Korean Waterway project also varied significantly depending on the preferred presidential leadership style. Approximately 70% of respondents who preferred a stable and harmonious leadership style stated that the project's feasibility should be reassessed or that it should not be pursued. In contrast, among those who preferred a strong national governance leadership style, 47% indicated that it should be pursued cautiously after gathering public opinion, slightly exceeding the 43% who believed it should be reassessed or not pursued at all. A notable observation is that even among respondents who desired the practical CEO leadership style, which was a strength for President Lee Myung-bak during his presidential campaign, negative opinions regarding the pursuit of the Grand Korean Waterway project reached 67.6%, nearly mirroring the respondents who requested a stable and harmonious leadership style. Considering that the demand for stable, harmonious, and practical CEO leadership styles combined accounts for 72% of respondents, these figures offer significant implications for the President's future governance approach.

Ultimately, the public sentiment reflected in the results of this general election indicates a demand for a president focused on stability and harmony rather than strong national governance. This demand is directly reflected in the public's preferences regarding the government's policy implementation methods. The evaluation of future policies to be pursued by President Lee Myung-bak and the administration's policymakers will depend on how well they read and incorporate this public sentiment, as revealed in the general election results, into their policies.

[Table 1] Desired Presidential Leadership and the Grand Korean Waterway Project Implementation Method

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