South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s approval falls to 42% amid rising disapproval

Ahead of the Chuseok holiday, a KBS-commissioned poll revealed that President Lee Jae-myung’s approval rating has fallen to 42%, contrasted with a 51% disapproval rate. Compared with a February Lunar New Year survey, approval slipped by 23 points and disapproval rose by 24 points. Respondents pointed to economic and livelihood policies as the main cause of disapproval (38%), and to cabinet and staff appointments (19%).

Age-group results showed the lowest approval among those in their 30s, while the 60-plus cohort expressed the highest disapproval at 62%. Regionally, the liberal bastion of Jeonnam-Gwangju and North Jeolla Province recorded a 68% approval rate, whereas Seoul showed 37% approval and 56% disapproval. The poll, conducted by Embrain Public, carries a 95% confidence level with a margin of error of ±3.1 points.