Ex-opposition chief Lee Jae-myung widens lead in opinion poll

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), has solidified his lead in the race for Korea’s presidency, commanding nearly half of voter support according to the latest polling, Monday. While several politicians from the conservative bloc have announced their intention to run in the June 3 snap presidential election, their combined support rate was lower than Lee's. According to a Realmeter survey conducted of 1,506 people nationwide from Wednesday to Friday, Lee held a commanding lead with 48.8 percent. He was followed by former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo at 10.9 percent, acting President Han Duck-soo at 8.6 percent and former conservative People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon at 6.2 percent. Kim and Han Dong-hoon are two of preliminary candidates for the PPP, while the acting president is being mentioned as a possible contender for the conservative bloc. Public sentiment is also advantageously inclined toward the DPK. In the poll, 58.7 percent said they should take power after the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his Dec. 3 m