South Korean President's approval rating rises to 50%

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating has seen a slight increase, reaching 50% in the latest national poll. This marks a 1% point rise from the previous survey conducted two weeks ago, reversing a dip to 49% shortly after his inauguration.

The poll, conducted by Embrain Public, Kstat Research, Korea Research, and Realmeter from August 24-26 among 1,001 adults, found that 50% of respondents approved of President Lee's job performance. Conversely, 43% expressed disapproval, a figure that remained unchanged from the prior survey.

In terms of party support, the Democratic Party garnered 41%, showing a 1% point increase, while the People Power Party received 20%, a decrease of 3% points. This suggests a shifting political landscape in the country.

However, the survey also highlighted public skepticism regarding the government's recent real estate policies, announced on August 13. A significant 57% of respondents believe these measures will be ineffective, with only 34% expressing hope for their success. The negative sentiment towards the real estate policies was particularly pronounced among those in their 30s, with 71% expressing disapproval.

Regarding housing supply, a majority (59%) favored easing regulations on reconstruction and redevelopment projects over utilizing urban spaces like Yongsan Park (29%). This preference for deregulation was especially strong among younger demographics, with 67% of those aged 18-29 and 68% of those in their 30s supporting the easing of reconstruction and redevelopment rules.