# President Lee Jae Myung's Approval Rating Surpasses 40 Percent Threshold Latest polling data shows a marginal recovery for the president amid mixed public sentiment. - **Source:** [The Korea Herald – All](https://www.koreaherald.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ed0d5b96-4f8e-4ddd-9a90-aaf89f53229a ## Approval Rating Milestone President Lee Jae Myung reached a 41 percent approval rating in the latest Gallup Korea poll. This marks the first time his support has exceeded the 40 percent threshold since the final week of August. The survey, conducted between Tuesday and Thursday, reflects a two percentage point increase from the previous week. ## Survey Methodology Details The research firm surveyed 1,001 South Korean citizens aged 18 and older to gauge public sentiment. With a 95 percent confidence level, the poll carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. These figures provide a snapshot of national opinion regarding the current administration's performance and policy direction. ## Drivers of Positive Sentiment Among respondents who approve of the president's performance, 18 percent highlighted diplomatic efforts as the primary reason. Economic and livelihood issues followed at 15 percent, while 10 percent of supporters pointed to communication as a key strength. These factors suggest that international engagement remains a significant pillar of his current public support. ## Reasons for Negative Assessments Negative assessments rose slightly to 50 percent, up one percentage point from the previous week. Real estate policies were cited by 19 percent of detractors, while 13 percent expressed concerns over economic management. Additionally, 8 percent of negative respondents mentioned security policies regarding North Korea and ongoing concerns about alleged legal trials. ## Political Party Dynamics Support for the ruling Democratic Party increased by one percentage point to reach 36 percent. This recovery follows a period where the party hit its lowest level since the start of the Lee administration. Conversely, the main opposition People Power Party saw its support decline by two percentage points, dropping to 28 percent. ## Context of Recent Trends The president's approval rating had experienced several weeks of decline before stabilizing at 40 percent in late October. It subsequently dipped to 39 percent last week before this latest marginal increase. Despite the recent rise, analysts at Gallup suggest that the overall approval landscape has remained largely unchanged over the past three weeks. ## Broader Political Landscape The fluctuation in approval ratings occurs against a backdrop of complex domestic challenges and shifting political alliances. While the president has managed to regain some lost ground, the negative sentiment remains higher than the positive, indicating a polarized public. The administration continues to face scrutiny over both economic policy and legal controversies. ## Future Policy Implications As the administration navigates these shifting public opinion numbers, the focus remains on balancing economic recovery with diplomatic stability. The government must address the persistent concerns regarding real estate and legal issues to maintain the current momentum. Future polls will determine if this 41 percent figure represents a sustained recovery or temporary volatility. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10928289 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._