Kim fared much better in NK policy than in economy: opinion poll

President Kim Dae-Jung`s approval rating dropped sharply to 44.5 percent this year from 81.9 percent in February 1999 and 73.7 percent in February 2000. At the same time, his disapproval rating soared from 16.6 percent two years ago to 24.3 percent last year and 46.9 percent at the present time. Negative views of the Kim administration were especially prevalent among those in their forties, 60.1 percent of whom disapproved of the president`s job performance.

These were among the results of an opinion poll conducted Tuesday by Research and Research Co. (R&R) at the request of the Dong-a Ilbo. Pollsters questioned 1,000 men and women nationwide in a survey timed with the third anniversary of Kim`s inauguration. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percent.

What was the reason for the president`s declining popularity? It was primarily due to his perceived failure to make much progress with the national economy. Close aides to the president say the economy has bottomed out but the latest opinion poll showed that ordinary citizens didn`t necessarily agree.

To the multiple-choice question \"In what area has President Kim done the least in the last three years?\" 25.9 percent of respondents chose \"dealing with the recession.\" The four top answers to that question all concerned economic issues, others having to do with restructuring (6.7 percent) and mass unemployment (3.9 percent). \"Economic policy and economic recovery\" (59.7 percent) and \"job creation\" (6.1 percent) were highest on the list of pending agenda for Kim.

Respondents said the best thing the president did in the past three years was promote inter-Korean dialogue (34.2 percent). North Korea policy turned out to be the only area in which Kim was rated highly.

Points out of 100 in other areas were: economic turnaround - 52.6 (68.8 last year); eradication of corruption - 48.3 (57.1); easing of regional animosity - 48.2 (50.3); and political stabilization - 44.4 (50.3). Scores hovered around or fell below 50 in all other categories.

Nonetheless, the people appeared to be optimistic about the nation`s future. Asked if the country would be better off when President Kim leaves office in two years, 39.3 percent said yes -- more than three times the number of those (10.7 percent) who said the country would be worse off.

Yun Seung-Mo ysmo@donga.com