President Lee Jae Myung’s Approval Falls to 60% After Diplomatic Surge
Updated (3 articles)
Latest Gallup Korea Survey Shows 60% Approval The Gallup Korea poll conducted Jan 30‑31 with 1,001 adults records President Lee Jae Myung’s overall approval at 60%, a one‑point decline from the prior week [1]. Party approval figures show the Democratic Party at 44% and the People Power Party at 25% [1]. The survey’s margin of error is ±3.1% at a 95% confidence level [1].
Economic Policies Lead Positive Ratings in Latest Poll Among respondents giving a favorable rating, 19% cite Lee’s economic policies while 17% mention diplomacy as the main reason [1]. Economic initiatives therefore top the list of positive feedback [1]. This emphasis on the economy contrasts with the previous week’s poll, which highlighted diplomacy as the primary driver [2].
Economic Concerns Dominate Negative Feedback Negative assessments point to economic worries for 21% of respondents, and 8% attribute dissatisfaction to diplomatic issues [1]. Economic concerns thus outweigh diplomatic criticism in shaping unfavorable views [1]. The poll’s confidence interval remains ±3.1% [1].
Earlier Week Poll Reported Higher Approval and Diplomatic Boost The Jan 23 Gallup Korea poll recorded a 61% approval rating for Lee, a three‑point rise from the week before [2]. Diplomacy accounted for 27% of the positive rating, boosted by Lee’s trips to China and Japan, while 14% praised economic and livelihood policies [2]. Party support shifted with the Democratic Party at 43% (up 2 points) and the People Power Party at 22% (down 2 points) [2]. The one‑point drop to 60% falls within the ±3.1% margin of error shared by both surveys [1][2].
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: President Lee’s Approval Rating Slides to 60 % in Latest Gallup Korea Poll: reports a dip to 60%, details on positive and negative drivers, party ratings, and the poll’s margin of error.
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2.
Yonhap: Lee Jae Myung's approval climbs to 61% in Gallup Korea poll: notes a rise to 61%, highlights diplomacy trips to China and Japan as drivers, and outlines shifts in party support.
Timeline
Early Jan 2026 – President Lee Jae Myung travels to China and Japan, holding summit talks with President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, signaling a diplomatic push that later shapes public‑opinion polls [3].
Jan 16, 2026 – Gallup Korea poll shows Lee’s approval falls to 58 % (a 2‑point drop), negative assessments rise to 32 %; 36 % of respondents cite diplomacy as the top positive reason, while 26 % point to economic worries as the main negative driver, and the Democratic Party’s support slips to 41 % as the People Power Party holds 24 % [3].
Jan 23, 2026 – Gallup Korea poll records Lee’s approval climbing to 61 % (a 3‑point gain), negative assessments fall to 30 %; 27 % of respondents credit diplomacy—tied to his recent China and Japan trips—for the rise, 14 % mention the economy, the Democratic Party’s approval rises to 43 % and the opposition drops to 22 % [2].
Jan 30, 2026 – Gallup Korea poll indicates Lee’s approval slides to 60 % (a 1‑point dip), positive and negative assessments each move 1 point; 19 % of supporters cite economic policies and 17 % cite diplomacy, while 21 % of detractors blame the economy and 8 % cite diplomatic issues, and the Democratic Party’s approval edges up to 44 % as the People Power Party climbs to 25 % [1].