President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating has fallen into the 30% range for the first time since he took office 15 months ago. Gallup Korea, in a survey released on the 11th based on mobile phone interviews conducted from the 8th to the 10th, put positive assessments of Lee's performance at 38%, down 2 percentage points from the previous week. The rating has now declined for three straight weeks, hitting the lowest level of his term in Gallup Korea polling.
The Presidential Office is weighing direct communication by the president, including a press conference, to shift the political mood. But finding a clear turning point has proved difficult as unrelated problems have piled up at once — housing, a cabinet reshuffle and a possible troop dispatch to the Strait of Hormuz. The reshuffle, in particular, was expected to help calm public sentiment but has instead deepened controversy, raising questions about the office's political coordination.
At a meeting with senior secretaries and aides the same day, Lee offered no separate message on the issues cited as direct causes of his slipping support. Explaining the results of his state visit to France, he said, "We must think only of a better tomorrow for the people and the national interest, and quietly forge that path." He added, "I ask you to join me." The remarks were read as a pause ahead of a press conference expected around the 17th.
Some in political circles argue that a direct appearance by Lee through a press conference could backfire, saying substantive changes in policy and personnel matter more than additional messaging.
In the latest survey, housing policy was the top reason cited by the 51% who gave Lee a negative assessment, at 24%. Personnel appointments followed at 16%, and the economy and livelihood issues at 10%. Lee's approval rating in Seoul fell 9 percentage points in a week to become the lowest nationwide, below the 34% recorded in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, confirming continued public discontent over housing policy.
The reshuffle intended to reset the political mood appears instead to be accelerating the decline, as allegations continue to dog minister nominees Kim Seung-won and Yong Hye-in. The share of respondents citing personnel decisions as a reason for disapproval has risen steadily, from 1% to 9% to 16%. For Yong, 61% called her unsuitable, while only 13% said she was suitable. For Kim, 43% said unsuitable and 22% suitable, meaning about five in 10 respondents opposed the appointments. A senior official at the Presidential Office reaffirmed the need for confirmation hearings, saying, "An opportunity must be provided to explain the minister nominees to the public."
The possible troop dispatch to the Strait of Hormuz is another burden ahead. Asked about sending South Korean troops or assets, 55% said the country should not deploy, while 32% were in favor. Should a deployment be decided, the government would also have to weigh further defections within Lee's base.
The abolition of prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers and infighting within the ruling bloc have added to the strain. Hong Ihk-pyo, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, said on a YTN radio program the previous day that "both the so-called traditional base and moderates are drifting away." He added, "For moderates, policy factors such as housing and the stock market have had an effect, while among the traditional base, disputes over party unity and the national convention process remain unresolved." Hong also said, "There seem to be growing doubts about the president," noting that questions such as whether he is "seeking another term" or whether "something is off about prosecution reform" have spread online.
With moderates and core supporters loosening at the same time, Lee has reached the 30% range faster than most of his predecessors. Setting aside former President Yoon Suk-yeol, whose rating fell into the 30s two months into his term, former President Moon Jae-in reached that level two years and five months into office amid the controversy surrounding Cho Kuk, and former President Park Geun-hye at one year and nine months amid the Chung Yoon-hoi document scandal.
The speed of the shift in public sentiment has heightened tension at the Presidential Office. Lee is considering a head-on approach through a press conference before the Chuseok holiday, but a number of voices warn of side effects from such communication. Political commentator Lee Jong-keun said, "The president's messages are not holding public sentiment." He added, "Unless there is something new in the message, it is more important for the staff to show the public that policy and action are changing, rather than for the president to step forward himself." He said, "For both the reshuffle and policy, the problem is less a lack of messaging than the need for political judgment and follow-through that can restore trust."
Others said Lee needs to address directly and clearly the suspicions and disputes surrounding him, such as the controversy over withdrawing indictments and the question of a constitutional amendment allowing another term. Choi Chang-ryul, a professor at Yongin University, said, "In a press conference, substance matters more than format." He stressed, "Indirect remarks such as saying at a meeting with Korean residents in France that 'the term is clearly limited under the Constitution' can only widen the controversy, so it is necessary to state a position candidly and put the matter to rest."
An official at the Presidential Office said of the falling approval rating, "We see it as a complex result stemming not only from political factors but from a range of issues including housing and the stock market." The official added, "We take the public's voice seriously and gravely when it comes to restoring trust in state affairs."
