Lee holds steady at 58% approval

President Lee Jae-myung's job approval rating remains strong at 58%, showing a marginal increase from 57% recorded three weeks ago, according to the latest National Barometer Survey. The survey, announced on Thursday, indicates that 58% of respondents believe Lee is performing his duties well. Conversely, 37% expressed disapproval, while 7% were undecided or declined to answer.

The overall direction of the government is viewed positively by 56% of respondents, with 36% believing it is headed in the wrong direction. When asked about specific policy initiatives, Lee's administration received the highest positive ratings for public safety measures, including disaster preparedness, with 61% approval. Balanced regional development policies aimed at enhancing competitiveness outside the capital region garnered 55% positive support, followed by pension policies (53%) and education initiatives focused on talent development and reducing disparities (50%).

Labor policies, covering industrial relations and market reforms, received a positive assessment from 48% of moderates, making it the only policy area among this group to fall below a 50% approval rating. Progressive and moderate respondents generally showed strong positive assessments across various policy areas.

In terms of party support, the ruling Democratic Party saw a slight uptick to 42% from 41% three weeks prior. In contrast, the primary opposition, the People Power Party, experienced a decline in support, dropping from 25% to 20%. This widening gap increases the approval margin between the two major parties from 16 to 22 percentage points. Minor parties, including the Reform Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party, each polled at 2%, while the Jinbo Party received 1% support. Approximately 30% of respondents indicated no party affiliation, were unsure, or refused to answer.