Voters favor ex-news anchor for Gangwon governor

Two former presidents of the network MBC are vying for the gubernatorial seat of Gangwon Province, with Eom Ki-young of the ruling Grand National Party leading Choi Moon-soon of the main opposition Democratic Party in opinion polls.

Running in the April 27 by-elections, Eom leads by 17.1 percentage points. He led Choi in eastern Gangwon such as Gangneung, Donghae and Samcheok and in the southern area such as Taebaek, Pyeongchang and Jeongseon.

In a Korea Research Center phone survey commissioned by The Dong-A Ilbo of 700 adults age 19 or older in Gangwon Province Monday, 45.4 percent said they will vote for Eom while 28.3 percent favored Choi. Those who said they have no idea or gave no response accounted for 26.3 percent.

○ All age groups support Eom while 30-somethings back Choi

Eom was supported by all age groups with 50.2 percent of support from those in their 50s or older, or three times more support than Choi (16.4 percent). Even among those in their 20s or younger, Eom (50.5 percent) had a commanding lead over Choi (34.3 percent), indicating high support for the long-time MBC news anchor over his opponent.

In the 40-something age group, Eom led Choi 41.8 percent to 35.2 percent.

egija@donga.com