On October 5, 2026, reports indicated a slight dip in South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating, which fell to 37.4% after two consecutive weeks of increases. This figure was reported by a Realmeter poll, which surveyed 2,515 adults nationwide between September 28 and October 2, 2026. The poll also recorded that 59.8% of respondents assessed Lee negatively, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from the previous week, while 2.8% were undecided about their views on his performance [1].
Further corroborating the initial report, the Seoul Economic Daily echoed the Realmeter findings, affirming Lee’s approval rating and overall poll details, affirming the 37.4% figure as his first decline after a period of improvement [2].
The slight decrease in Lee's approval is attributed to a mix of political and policy factors that may have influenced public opinion. Among these factors are concerns over personnel changes, national security issues, and challenges related to citizen livelihoods. Notably, the recent controversy surrounding the establishment of new investigative agencies and the appointment of the chief of the Special Investigation Agency (SCIA) were highlighted as significant issues. Additionally, a recent land mine blast in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), diplomatic tensions with Ukraine, and rising housing rental costs in the Seoul metropolitan area were mentioned as contributors to public dissatisfaction [1].
Despite the recent decline, Lee's earlier approval gains were reportedly bolstered by a press conference he held on September 18, where he addressed several key political matters. This activity is believed to have helped boost his ratings prior to the current dip [1].
The latest polling results align with a broader trend observed in the weeks leading up to October 5, with Realmeter reporting fluctuations in Lee’s approval ratings. Previously, he achieved a high of 37.9% following a two-week rise, which was contrasted by a lower approval rating of 33.8% noted in an earlier period before the current gains [3].
In summary, the polling data from Realmeter indicates that President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating stands at 37.4%, reflecting a modest decline after two weeks of improvement. This slight drop comes amid ongoing domestic challenges and controversies that appear to be impacting public perception [1].
Sources
- [1] Lee's approval rating dips after 2-week rise: poll | Yonhap News Agency
- [2] Lee's Approval Dips to 37.4%, First Decline in Three Weeks - Seoul Economic Daily
- [3] Lee's approval rating rises for 2nd straight week to 37.9%: poll - The Korea Times
Researched and edited with AI assistance.
Featured image: AI-generated representative image.