Gallup Korea survey puts approval at 38%, a post-inauguration low; presidential office weighing public address as early as next week

President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a New Year's press conference held at Cheong Wa Dae's banquet hall in January. [Yonhap]
President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a New Year's press conference held at Cheong Wa Dae's banquet hall in January. [Yonhap]

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has fallen into the 30s for the first time since he took office, amid mounting controversy over a Cabinet reshuffle and real estate tax policy.

A Gallup Korea survey released Friday put Lee's job approval at 38 percent, down 2 percentage points from the previous poll. As his ratings continue to slide, Lee is expected to hold a press conference as early as next week to address major policy issues directly and seek to reverse the downward trend.

The survey, conducted Tuesday through Thursday among 1,000 adults aged 18 and older nationwide, recorded Lee's approval at 38 percent — the lowest since his inauguration. That is 2 percentage points below the previous survey from the first week of September. His disapproval rating held steady at 51 percent, matching the prior poll, while 11 percent offered no opinion.

Among those who rated his performance positively, diplomacy was cited most often at 19 percent, followed by the economy and livelihoods at 13 percent, general good performance at 6 percent, communication and competence at 5 percent each, and real estate policy and diligence at 4 percent each.

With his approval at a post-inauguration low, attention is turning to whether Lee will use direct public outreach to signal a reset and shift the political mood.

Plans for Lee to personally explain his position as the country's top executive have been under consideration since early last week.

Preparations are already underway, with staff compiling anticipated questions across policy areas and drafting model responses.

However, the originally planned public address was reportedly delayed due to Lee's upcoming overseas travel schedule and pushback from some aides.

Hong Ik-pyo, the Cheong Wa Dae political affairs secretary, appeared on YTN Radio on Thursday and, when asked about the format of any public communication, said the president would decide on the timing and method, adding, "I think there will be something before the holiday."

Possible dates for the public address — factoring in Lee's travel and other upcoming commitments — include Sept. 17, Sept. 18 and Sept. 20.

Should the address go ahead, questions are expected about the nomination of Kim Seung-won as justice minister and Yong Hye-in as minister of gender equality and family — both of whom drew controversy during the second-round Cabinet reshuffle — as well as their future prospects.

It also remains to be seen whether Lee will directly rule out seeking a consecutive term amid debate over constitutional reform to allow re-election. During a meeting with Korean diaspora members while visiting France, Lee said his term "is clearly limited under the Constitution," signaling in effect that he would not seek to extend his tenure.

The Gallup Korea poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. The contact rate was 46.7 percent and the response rate was 9.4 percent. Further details are available on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.


sang@heraldcorp.com