Lee’s Approval Rating Holds at 37% as Disapproval Declines

President Lee Jae Myung’s approval rating remained unchanged at 37 percent in a new Gallup Korea survey, while the share of respondents who disapproved of his performance declined to 51 percent.

The poll was conducted from Tuesday through Thursday among 1,000 adults aged 18 and older. It was the first reading in three weeks, and the president’s positive rating was unchanged from the previous survey. His negative rating, however, dropped five percentage points from 56 percent.

Foreign affairs was the most frequently cited reason among respondents who viewed Lee’s performance positively. Twenty-four percent of that group selected diplomacy, while 14 percent pointed to the economy and livelihood issues. The responses suggest overseas engagement remained the administration’s strongest area among supporters even as domestic economic concerns continued to shape public assessments.

Real estate policy led the reasons given by respondents who evaluated Lee negatively, cited by 18 percent of that group. Defense, security and policy toward North Korea followed at 15 percent. The findings indicate that housing and national security remain prominent pressure points for the administration.

The poll also showed weaker backing for both major parties. Support for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea fell five percentage points to 35 percent. That was its lowest level since Lee’s administration began in June 2025.

Support for the main opposition People Power Party slipped one percentage point to 26 percent. The simultaneous declines suggest the ruling party’s losses did not translate directly into a comparable gain for its principal rival during the survey period.

The results leave Lee’s approval rating stable but show movement in the intensity of negative assessments. A lower disapproval figure can reflect respondents shifting away from a negative judgment without necessarily moving into the positive column, which is consistent with the unchanged approval number reported in the poll.

The administration now faces the task of sustaining support for its diplomatic record while addressing the domestic issues most often raised by critics. Real estate, economic conditions and security policy are likely to remain central to the political debate as the government seeks to improve its standing.

Gallup Korea reported a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.