[REVISION HISTORY]

South Korea: President Lee faces record low approval

Updated 36 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-22 01:34 UTC → 2026-10-26 00:11 UTC · added ~~removed~~

President Lee Jae-myung’s administration is facing a deepening approval crisis, characterized by a prolonged downward trend in public support. Recent polling from Realmeter and the Korean Society Opinion Institute (KSOI) has shown approval ratings hitting record lows in the 33% to 35% range, with negative evaluations frequently exceeding 60%. Public dissatisfaction is driven by a broad range of issues, including real estate policy, economic recovery, and national unity. Specific controversies have included judicial conflicts, cabinet appointment ~~failures—notably the resignation of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won—and~~ failures, and public outcry over police ~~misconduct~~ misconduct. Recent drivers of discontent include soaring apartment prices in Seoul, security disputes following ~~a missing person case on Jeju Island. The administration~~ mine explosions in the DMZ, and concerns over diplomacy and North Korean tensions. While the President has ~~responded~~ attempted to ~~these pressures with calls for police reform and various institutional changes, including efforts~~ use social media to ~~integrate high-speed rail services~~ communicate policies and ~~audit public enterprises.~~ address concerns like rising food prices, critics have labeled this ‘unwise SNS politics.’ Political stability is further challenged by ~~internal rifts within~~ shifting party dynamics. While the Democratic Party of Korea ~~and intense scrutiny from the~~ previously held a lead, recent data indicates a significant shift in momentum. The opposition People Power ~~Party. While President Lee~~ Party has ~~held press conferences to address concerns regarding constitutional amendments, prosecution reform, and foreign policy, public opinion remains divided. Recent data indicates~~ reclaimed the lead in several polls, notably overtaking the Democratic Party in late October by a ~~split regarding~~ margin outside the ~~direction~~ margin of ~~prosecution reform, and while minor fluctuations~~ error. This decline in ~~approval have occurred, disapproval remains high across most demographics~~ support is particularly notable among moderate voters, the 30s age group, and ~~regions.~~ in the Honam region, which was traditionally a pro-government stronghold.

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