Reform Party Supreme Council Meeting [Yonhap News file photo]

A public opinion poll conducted by the Reform Party released on the 3rd showed that more than 6 out of 10 citizens have a negative view of the cabinet reshuffle for the second Lee Jae-myung administration.

According to the results of a survey conducted the previous day by the Reform Research Institute, the party's think tank, on 1,017 adults aged 18 and older nationwide, 65.0% of respondents said the cabinet reshuffle—which nominated candidates for six ministerial positions on the 30th of last month—was "done poorly" (51.9% "very poorly," 13.1% "generally poorly").

Positive assessments stood at only 30.8% (16.4% "very well," 14.4% "generally well").

By age group, the negative assessment was highest among those in their 20s or younger at 80.3%, followed by 70.2% for those in their 30s, 66.9% for those in their 40s, 63.5% for those in their 60s, 60.9% for those in their 70s or older, and 52.5% for those in their 50s, with all age groups showing a majority in opposition.

Regarding the impact of this cabinet reshuffle on future state affairs, negative outlooks (59.7%) outweighed positive ones (26.9%).

Furthermore, 80.9% of respondents stated that it is "desirable for incumbent lawmakers to resign from their parliamentary seats to focus entirely on their ministerial duties" when serving concurrently as ministers.

When asked what criteria are most important when appointing a minister, "expertise and experience in the relevant field" was the most common response at 54.6%, followed by "morality and integrity" (27.1%) and "shared philosophy of state affairs with the president" (9.4%).

The Reform Party assessed, "The fact that more than half of the public views the cabinet reshuffle as wrong is a stern signal that they want the government to put state affairs back on the right track," adding, "In the end, it is viewed by the public as yet another instance of 'crony appointments'."

This opinion poll was conducted using a wireless RDD (Random Digit Dialing) automated response system (ARS). The margin of error is ±3.1% at a 95% confidence level. The response rate was 3.48%.