A new poll released Jan. 26 reveals a dead heat between Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leader Lee Jae-myung and potential ruling party candidates in hypothetical matchups for South Korea’s next presidential election. The results indicate a narrowing gap between Lee and his rivals, continuing a trend observed in recent surveys this year.

(From left to right) Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leader Lee Jae-myung, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon./Newsis, News1

The poll, conducted by Embrain Public for YTN, surveyed 1,003 eligible voters nationwide via telephone interviews on Jan. 22-23. With a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points, the results showed Lee and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party (PPP) tied at 41% support each. Similarly, Lee and Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo also tied at 41%.

In other head-to-head matchups, Lee led Employment and Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo 42% to 38%, former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon 39% to 33%, and former PPP lawmaker Yoo Seong-min 38% to 29%.

This is the first time Lee has tied with ruling party candidates in a telephone survey. Earlier polls this year showed Lee leading by as much as 20 to 30 percentage points. However, the gap has gradually narrowed, with recent polls showing the race tightening to within the margin of error.

For instance, a Jan. 2 New Year’s poll conducted by Dong-A Ilbo and Research & Research (R&R) showed Lee holding a commanding lead over his rivals: 47.6% to 20.5% against Hong, 48.7% to 21.9% against Oh, and 48.0% to 16.7% against Han. In contrast, a Jan. 21-22 poll by Chosun Ilbo and KSTAT Research revealed a much closer race, with Lee leading Kim Moon-soo 37% to 29%, Hong 38% to 28%, Oh 37% to 28%, and Han 37% to 23%.