President Lee Jae Myung’s approval ratings show week-to-week fluctuations in recent polls. Korea Times reports that Lee’s approval rose slightly to 39% after dipping to a record low of 37% in earlier Gallup Korea surveys, with negative assessments increasing to 52%. In other polling cited by Yonhap, Lee’s approval also rebounds to 44% in an Oct. 15 survey.
At the same time, other outlets report declines ahead of that rebound. Korea Times says a Realmeter poll found approval falling for a second straight week to 35.2%, with negative assessments rising to 61.4%. It links the drop to parliamentary-audit controversies over judicial independence, disputes between parties over a mine blast near the DMZ last month, and rising rental and housing prices in the Seoul metropolitan area.
The reporting also points to related changes in party support. Korea Times says support for the ruling Democratic Party rose slightly to 36% after hitting its lowest since Lee took office, while support for the main opposition People Power Party rises in the other survey, indicating a competitive and shifting political backdrop.
