[PollPollNews] Lee's Approval Drops for Second Week to 56%... "Economic Outlook Returns to Pre-Election Levels"

Gallup Poll Results
"Special Pardons" Remain a Negative Factor for the Second Week
Democratic Party at 44%, People Power Party at 25%

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating for his administration has declined for the second consecutive week, dropping to the mid-50% range. Expectations for the future of the economy have also fallen to pre-presidential election levels.

According to a public opinion poll released on the 22nd by Korea Gallup (conducted from the 19th to the 21st, targeting 1,004 people aged 18 and older nationwide through wireless telephone interviews by surveyors, with a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level and a response rate of 15.1%), the positive evaluation of President Lee's job performance stood at 56%, down 3 percentage points from last week. The negative evaluation, indicating he is not performing well, rose by 5 percentage points to 35%.

President Lee Jae Myung is speaking at the 8th Chief Secretary and Aide Meeting held on the 21st at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Among those who gave a positive assessment of his performance (561 respondents), the reasons cited included "economy and people's livelihoods" (15%), "communication," "overall good performance," and "driving force, execution, and speed" (each at 9%). On the other hand, those who gave a negative assessment (348 respondents) pointed to "special pardons" (21%), "excessive welfare and livelihood support funds," "economy and people's livelihoods" (each at 11%), and "diplomacy" (7%) as reasons. Special pardons have been cited as a reason for negative evaluations for the second consecutive week.

The economic outlook poll, conducted for the first time in a month, also declined, returning to levels seen before the presidential election. When asked about the economic outlook for the next year, 35% responded that it would "improve," 39% said it would "worsen," and 22% said it would "remain about the same." In May, before the presidential election, 33% of respondents said the economy would improve in this survey, but after the election in June, 52% were optimistic. However, this figure dropped to 47% in July and continued to decline this month.

In terms of party support, the Democratic Party of Korea's approval rating rose by 3 percentage points to 44%. The People Power Party's support also increased by 3 percentage points to 25%. The Cho Kuk Innovation Party stood at 4%, and the Reform New Party at 3%.

Meanwhile, the United States was identified as the most important country for peace on the Korean Peninsula and for the Korean economy. When asked which country among the United States, China, Japan, and Russia is most important for peace on the Korean Peninsula, 76% chose the United States, 12% China, 3% Japan, and 1% Russia. Regarding the Korean economy, 70% said the United States, followed by China at 21%, Japan at 2%, and Russia at 1%. The perceived importance of the United States has increased compared to last year.

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