Busan Mayoral Poll: Jeon Jae-soo, Park Hyung-joon Neck-and-Neck Within Margin of Error

A poll on Busan mayoral candidate support, conducted with about 40 days remaining until the June 3rd local elections, shows Democratic Party candidate Jeon Jae-soo and People Power Party candidate Park Hyung-joon in a tight race within the margin of error. According to the survey conducted by polling firm Korea Research at the request of KBS Busan from May 17th to 19th among 1,000 men and women aged 18 and over residing in Busan, Jeon's support rate was 40% and Park's was 34%. This represents a gap within the margin of error (±3.1 percentage points). This is the first time a neck-and-neck race within the margin of error has emerged between candidates Jeon Jae-soo and Park Hyung-joon since the conclusion of their respective parties' nominations. Reform Party candidate Jung Yi-han garnered 1% support, while 24% responded they had no preferred candidate or were unsure, indicating potential variables for the upcoming election.

Conversely, when asked about the likelihood of winning, Jeon led with 44% and Park with 33%, a wider gap than the support poll showed. Policy and pledges emerged as the top criteria for voters choosing candidates, accounting for 30%, followed by individual qualifications, abilities, and integrity. However, only 13% cited their candidate's political party as their basis for selection.

The response rate for those who said they would definitely vote in the local elections was 74%, and 90% indicated they would vote, showing high voter turnout intention. This poll was conducted via telephone interviews, with an response rate of 20.5% and a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.