[PollPoll News] President Lee's Approval Rating at 65%... People Power Party Support Hits Record Low Again

President Lee Gains Majority Support Even Among Voters in Their 70s and in Daegu-Gyeongbuk
People Power Party Support Hits Record Low at 16%
62% Give Positive Evaluation of Korea-US Tariff Negotiations

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating for his handling of state affairs has risen slightly. Meanwhile, support for the People Power Party has declined again, setting a new all-time low.

According to the National Barometer Survey (NBS) conducted by Embrain Public, Kstat Research, Korea Research, and Hankook Research from August 4 to 6, targeting 1,001 men and women aged 18 and older nationwide via mobile phone interviews (sampling error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, response rate 14.7%), the positive assessment that President Lee is "doing well" rose by 1 percentage point from two weeks ago to reach 65%. The negative assessment that he is "doing poorly" also increased by 2 percentage points to 24% compared to the previous survey.

President Lee Jae Myung is presiding over the Cabinet meeting held on the 29th of last month at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

The positive assessment outweighed the negative assessment across all age groups and regions. Even among those in their 70s and in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, where President Lee's support has been considered weak, the approval ratings reached 53% and 54%, respectively.

In terms of party support, the Democratic Party of Korea's approval rating rose by 1 percentage point from two weeks ago to 44%. In contrast, the People Power Party's support dropped by 1 percentage point to 16%. The People Power Party's approval rating, which has been declining with each announcement since the presidential election, is now at its lowest level since the NBS began reporting poll results in 2020.

Regarding specific policy issues, 67% of respondents said that the "Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon" would be helpful (either "very helpful" or "somewhat helpful") in revitalizing the sluggish economy. Meanwhile, 31% responded that it would "not be helpful" (either "not helpful at all" or "not very helpful").

On the Korea-US tariff negotiations, 62% gave a positive evaluation ("very positive" or "somewhat positive"), which is more than double the 28% who gave a negative evaluation ("very negative" or "somewhat negative").

Regarding the labor union law revision currently under discussion in the National Assembly, also known as the "Yellow Envelope Act," 42% responded in favor, while 38% were opposed, showing similar levels within the margin of error.

For the return to previous standards for major shareholders subject to corporate tax rates and capital gains tax on stock transfers, 51% expressed support, which is 20 percentage points higher than the 31% who opposed it.

On the issue of industrial accidents, 52% said that "worker safety should be the top priority and should be strengthened even through regulation," which is 8 percentage points higher than the 44% who said that "the autonomy and efficiency of corporate activities should be guaranteed as much as worker safety."

There was also significant public concern about climate issues. Regarding climate change in Korea, 92% perceived it as "serious" ("very serious" or "somewhat serious"). Among those, 51% regarded it as "very serious."

For more detailed information on the public opinion poll, please refer to the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.