President Lee's Approval Rating Hits Record Low of 51%; Disapproval Surpasses 40% for First Time

President Lee Jae-myung's job approval rating has dipped to 51%, the lowest point since he assumed office, according to a recent opinion poll. Concurrently, his disapproval rating has climbed to 41%, marking the first time it has surpassed the 40% threshold.

The survey, conducted by Korea Gallup from June 23-25 among 1,000 adults nationwide, indicates a significant shift in public sentiment. Compared to two weeks prior, President Lee's approval rating dropped by 6 percentage points, while his disapproval rating increased by the same margin. This decline comes as concerns over the economy, livelihoods, and high exchange rates have emerged as the leading reason for negative evaluations, overtaking issues related to election management and the election commission which previously topped the list.

Despite the dip in presidential approval, the Democratic Party continues to hold a significant lead in party support, registering 41%, unchanged from the previous poll. In contrast, the People Power Party saw a slight decrease in support, falling to 27% from 29% two weeks ago. The proportion of undecided voters remains at 23%.

Regarding the leadership of the People Power Party, 48% of respondents believe interim leader Jang Dong-hyuk should resign, while 28% think he should remain in his position. Within the People Power Party's own supporters, opinions are divided, with 49% favoring him staying and 39% calling for his resignation.