South Korea’s Lee accepts policy adviser’s resignation after cabinet reshuffle

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has accepted the resignation of his chief presidential policy adviser, Kim Yong-beom, following a cabinet and senior-aide reshuffle.

Kim was a key adviser on economic policy, including housing and stock-market issues. The presidential office announced that Lee accepted his resignation on Tuesday.

The move followed a reshuffle announced on Sunday that included six new ministers. The changes replaced the economy and finance minister and the land minister, and brought in new presidential aides. Lee had also appointed a new trade minister in late August.

Lee’s approval rating fell 1.3 percentage points to 38.9%, according to a Realmeter poll released on Monday. It marked the first time his rating had dropped into the 30% range since he took office in June last year. Realmeter said concerns about housing prices and rental costs had affected public sentiment.