A large-scale survey conducted by the Green Transition Institute, the Possible Institute, and the Local Energy Lab revealed that more than half of the respondents (53.5%) identified as 'climate voters' who prioritize climate commitments of candidates over their usual political views. This percentage reflects a substantial increase from 33.5% observed during the 2024 preliminary survey and 50.9% last year, signaling a growing trend among the electorate towards valuing climate policy. The survey involved approximately 18,000 participants aged 18 and older across 17 metropolitan regions in South Korea, indicating a significant shift in voter attitudes regarding climate policies.

The survey was presented during a press conference at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, where Subokgyeong, head of the Possible Institute, expressed cautious optimism about the potential for climate voting in the upcoming local elections. Despite the current government enjoying high approval rates and stark differences in party support, Subokgyeong noted that stable responses from climate voters in the three consecutive surveys suggest that media coverage and public dialogue could further enhance awareness and engagement on climate issues, which might allow for tangible changes in voters’ behavior on election day.

Additionally, the survey findings revealed significant opposition to energy supply strategies that prioritize the capital region at the expense of local areas. A notable 65.7% of respondents argued that the government’s energy highway plan should focus on supplying energy from local production to nearby consumers, rather than channeling resources from less populous areas to the capital. This perspective indicates a strong sentiment among voters for decentralized energy policies, reflecting broader concerns about fairness and sustainability in energy allocation, particularly within the metropolitan areas of Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon, where similar trends in opposition were observed among voters.