Lee's Approval Rating Falls Below 40% for First Time, Gallup Korea Finds

A Gallup Korea poll of 1,000 respondents released September 11 put President Lee Jae-myung's job approval at 38%, the first time it has fallen below 40% since his June 2025 inauguration. Disapproval held at 51%. The slide is driven by disputes over Cabinet nominees — 43% called Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won unfit amid stock-manipulation and abuse-of-power allegations, and 61% viewed Gender Equality Minister nominee Yong Hye-in as unsuitable after she said she would keep her parliamentary seat if appointed — compounded by the housing affordability crisis and economic hardship. The same poll found 55% opposed to deploying South Korean troops to the Strait of Hormuz.