[Public Opinion Briefing 48-2] Direction of National Reform by the Lee Myung-bak Administration/Grand National Party

[EAI·Korea Research] June Barometer - National Security Perception/National Reform Measures

1. Changes in Public National Security Awareness Following North Korea's Nuclear Test, p. 2

2. Direction of National Reform by the Lee Myung-bak Administration/Grand National Party, p. 9

3. Changes in Approval Ratings for the Administration and Political Parties, p. 12

Public Opinion on Subsequent National Governance Stance/Governing Style

- Strong public opinion demanding simultaneous reform of governance stance and style

- Among supporters of President Lee Myung-bak, maintaining stance/changing style (43.5%) is higher than maintaining stance/style (24.0%)

Public demand for changes in the government's national governance stance and governing style is high. The demand to change both the national governance stance and governing style was 41.1%, the argument to maintain the national governance stance while changing the governing style was 28.0%, and the position to maintain the governing style while changing the national governance stance was 13.9%. The argument to maintain the current stance and style was only 9.6%. Overall, the demand for national reform was high. However, among Grand National Party supporters, the proportion advocating for a change in governing style while maintaining the national governance stance was the highest at 43.5%, and the position to maintain the current stance and style was 24.0%, indicating no desire for fundamental changes in the national governance stance. Nevertheless, even among Grand National Party supporters, public opinion largely favors a change in governing style.

[Figure 1] National Reform Measures of the Government

National Reform Measures: Cabinet Reshuffle/Personnel Reform 64.1%, Embracing the Pro-Park Alliance 58.5%, Improving Relations with Opposition Parties 76.3%

- High positive public opinion on national reform measures, even among Grand National Party supporters, with particularly strong support from voters in the Yeongnam region

- Harmony with political opponents prioritized over internal Grand National Party unity

Regarding specific national reform measures, the demand to embrace other factions, such as the Pro-Park Alliance, was 58.5%, 64.1% agreed with the cabinet reshuffle/personnel reform measures, and a significant 76.3% agreed with the demand for improved relations with opposition parties. This appears to reflect concerns about the deepening social and political conflicts exacerbated by the passing of former President Roh.

Meanwhile, clear differences in stances on reform measures are observed depending on the supporting political party. While Grand National Party supporters largely favor personnel reform such as a cabinet reshuffle, they place greater emphasis on embracing factions like the Pro-Park Alliance (76.0%). In contrast, Democratic Party supporters express a stronger call for personnel reform (66.0%) and embracing opposition parties/opponents (83.4%) rather than internal Grand National Party factional harmony. Among unaffiliated respondents, support for personnel reform such as a cabinet reshuffle (57.7%) or embracing pro-Park factions (51.1%) fell below average, while those emphasizing harmony with opposition parties and opposing forces were the highest at 77.6%.

Ultimately, although the Grand National Party's special committee activities have primarily revolved around disputes over healing internal factional conflicts, the public's actual concern lies in broader social integration, encompassing not just internal party harmony but also embracing external entities such as opposition parties and political opponents, sending a message of greater societal unity.

[Figure 2] Agreement Rate with National Reform Measures (Strongly Agree + Slightly Agree) (%)

[Figure 3] Agreement Rate with National Reform Measures by Supporting Party (%)