Centrists abandoning President Lee Jae-myung as approval ratings plummet

President Lee Jae-myung's job approval rating, currently at 51% positive and 41% negative according to a recent Korea Gallup poll, has hit its lowest point since his inauguration. While his overall approval remains higher than some past presidents at a similar stage, the recent sharp decline, particularly in the last two weeks of June, has raised concerns.

Contrary to claims by some commentators that the president is losing his core base of supporters, the data suggests the opposite. The decline appears to be driven by a significant portion of centrist voters rapidly shifting their stance. In early June, 60% of centrist voters viewed the president's job performance positively, but by the end of the month, this figure dropped to 51%, with negative evaluations rising from 29% to 41%.

Several factors are cited for this shift. The ruling party's performance in the recent June 3 local elections, despite an overall victory, was marred by losses in key mayoral races, leading to a perception of "de facto defeat." Historically, the ruling party's loss in major elections often leads to a dip in presidential approval. Additionally, statements from party leaders perceived as "arrogant" and the president's own remarks, which acknowledged voter warnings but failed to address a key election issue, have alienated voters.

Furthermore, escalating internal party conflicts, characterized by harsh rhetoric and personal attacks between factions, are contributing to the erosion of centrist support. The article notes that while media frames this as a "Lee-Chung-rae war," the underlying issue is a competition among several figures for future leadership, with their presidential aspirations seemingly out of step with public perception. This internal strife and perceived "arrogance" are pushing centrist voters away from the president and the ruling party.