What Caused South Korean President Lee's Approval Rating to Drop Below 60%?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a surprising turn, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has fallen to 58%, marking a significant drop just as he celebrates 100 days in office. This article explores the implications of this decline, public sentiment, and the recent diplomatic interactions with France.
Key Takeaways
- Approval rating of President Lee falls to 58%.
- Survey shows a 5 percentage point drop from the previous week.
- Economic concerns cited by 14% of respondents.
- Diplomatic issues highlighted by 22% of those with negative views.
- Ruling party's approval rises to 41% amid challenges.
Seoul, Sep 12 (NationPress) The approval rating of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has dipped below 60 percent, according to a recent poll released on Friday, coinciding with his 100-day milestone in office.
In a survey conducted by Gallup Korea among 1,002 adults from Tuesday to Thursday, only 58 percent expressed a favorable view of Lee's performance, reflecting a decline of 5 percentage points from the previous week.
After maintaining an approval rating above 60 percent following his summit with US President Donald Trump in late August, the positive trend reversed just as he reached his 100th day in office, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Among those who rated him positively, 14 percent attributed their views to the economy, while 22 percent of those who rated him negatively pointed to issues in diplomacy, particularly in light of the recent detention of over 300 South Korean workers in a US immigration raid at a construction site for a battery factory in Georgia.
The ruling Democratic Party saw a slight increase in their approval rating, rising by 1 percentage point to 41 percent, while the main opposition party, People Power Party, remained steady at 24 percent.
The survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.
In other news, President Lee engaged in his inaugural phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, where he pledged to enhance cooperation. Macron congratulated Lee on his inauguration and expressed hopes that the new administration will further fortify bilateral relations, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung.
Point of View
It is crucial to provide an unbiased perspective on President Lee's declining approval ratings. This shift suggests a growing discontent among the populace regarding economic and diplomatic issues. The administration must address these concerns proactively to regain public trust and ensure stability in governance.
NationPress
13/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current approval rating of President Lee?
President Lee's approval rating currently stands at 58 percent, according to a recent Gallup Korea poll.
How has the approval rating changed recently?
The approval rating has seen a decrease of 5 percentage points from the previous week.
What factors contributed to the drop in approval rating?
Negative sentiments were largely attributed to diplomatic issues and concerns regarding the economy.
What is the approval rating of the ruling Democratic Party?
The approval rating for the ruling Democratic Party has increased to 41 percent.
What did President Lee discuss with President Macron?
During their first phone call, President Lee and President Macron discussed enhancing cooperation between South Korea and France.
