Economy Boosts Lee Jae-myung Approval Rating in 2026 as KOSPI Hits 4,300
President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating rebounded to 54.1% in January 2026, driven by record exports and the KOSPI crossing 4,300. Read the full Realmeter poll analysis.
Numbers don't lie, and they're currently working in the administration's favor. President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating climbed to 54.1% this week, buoyed by a record-breaking stock market rally and stellar export performance. According to a Realmeter survey released on January 5, 2026, the rating inched up by 0.9 percentage points, snapping a three-week downward trend that began in early December.
KOSPI Milestone Fuels the Lee Jae-myung Approval Rating in 2026
The surge in popularity is directly tied to South Korea's economic engine. Realmeter noted that the KOSPI index's historic rise above the 4,300-point mark, coupled with record-high export volumes, convinced many voters of the government's competence. While positive sentiment rose, negative assessments dipped to 41.4%. This economic optimism seems to be overshadowing recent political friction, providing the president with renewed political capital for the new year.
Party Loyalty Shifts and Poll Methodology
The ruling Democratic Party also saw its support rise to 45.7%, up 1.2 percentage points. In contrast, the main opposition People Power Party slipped to 35.5%. The survey, which polled 2,025 adults, has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points. As President Lee prepares for a major summit with China's Xi Jinping, these domestic gains offer a timely tailwind for his international agenda.
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