Lee Jae Myung's Approval Rating Dips to 59% Amid Growing Economic Anxiety in South Korea

While South Korean President Lee Jae Myung maintains a strong majority approval, the first cracks are beginning to show as public anxiety over the economy intensifies. According to a Yonhap report on a new poll, Lee's approval rating has slipped to 59% while negative assessments are on the rise, highlighting a clear top priority for his administration heading into the new year.

The Numbers in Detail

The National Barometer Survey (NBS), released on Thursday, December 25, shows the positive assessment of Lee’s performance fell 3 percentage points from two weeks prior. Conversely, the negative assessment climbed 2 percentage points to 32%. The survey, conducted jointly by four pollsters including Kstat Research and Hankook Research, polled 1,003 adults nationwide and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.

Geographically, positive sentiment outweighed negative sentiment across the country, with the notable exception of Daegu. By age, the president's performance was viewed more favorably in all brackets except for those in their 20s. While his support base remains broad, these exceptions could be early indicators of weakening support in key demographics.

Party Support and Public Mood

The dip in presidential approval was mirrored by a drop for the ruling Democratic Party (DP), whose support fell 3 percentage points to 41%. Meanwhile, the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) remained unchanged at a distant 20%. The opposition's failure to gain ground suggests that voters aren't necessarily flocking to an alternative but are growing dissatisfied with the current administration's handling of key issues.

The core of that dissatisfaction appears to be economic. When asked about the most pressing issue facing the nation, 'employment and economic recovery' was the top answer for 32% of respondents. This far outpaced other concerns like reform of powerful agencies (18%) and stabilizing the property market (15%). Underscoring this sentiment, 56% of respondents said that 2025 was 'not a good year' for the nation as a whole.