What did the latest Gallup Korea poll find about Lee Jae Myung’s approval and disapproval ratings?

Forty percent of respondents viewed Lee’s performance positively, up 1 percentage point from the previous week, while 50 percent disapproved, down 2 points. His approval had been 37 percent in two consecutive polls in late September and early October.

What reasons did respondents give for approving or disapproving of Lee Jae Myung’s performance?

Among those who approved, 21 percent cited diplomacy, 14 percent economic and livelihood issues, and 7 percent communication. Real estate policies, along with economic and security concerns, were among the main reasons given by those who disapproved.

Lee's approval rating hits 40% for 1st time since early September: poll

Q: How did respondents view impeaching Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, and what prompted calls for impeachment?

Thirty-nine percent opposed Cho’s impeachment and 34 percent supported it. Some lawmakers called for impeachment over his refusal to newly recommend a candidate to the top court despite a request from the presidential office, and allegations of improper use of official funds.

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Summary

President Lee Jae Myung’s approval rating rose to 40 percent in a Gallup Korea poll conducted from Tuesday through Thursday. Positive assessments increased 1 percentage point from the previous week, while disapproval fell 2 points to 50 percent. Support for the Democratic Party and People Power Party each rose 1 point, to 37 percent and 28 percent, respectively. Respondents were more likely to oppose than support impeaching Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae.

Key Facts

The survey questioned 1,001 people aged 18 and older and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.
Lee’s approval last reached 40 percent in the first week of September, before falling to 37 percent in two consecutive polls in late September and early October.
Among respondents who approved of Lee’s performance, 21 percent cited diplomacy, 14 percent economic and livelihood issues, and 7 percent communication.
Thirty-four percent supported impeaching Cho Hee-dae, while 39 percent opposed it.
Some lawmakers called for Cho’s impeachment over his refusal to newly recommend a candidate to the top court despite a presidential office request, as well as allegations of improper use of official funds.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 23, 2026 10:59 am KST

President Lee Jae Myung attends a meeting with his senior secretaries at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Thurday. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rose to 40 percent for the first time since early September, a poll showed Friday.

The survey, conducted by Gallup Korea from Tuesday through Thursday on 1,001 people aged 18 and older, showed that positive assessments of Lee's performance increased 1 percentage point from the previous week.

Those who disapproved of Lee's handling of state affairs fell by 2 percentage points on-week to 50 percent.

Lee's approval rating last stood at 40 percent in the first week of September, before falling to a record low of 37 percent in two consecutive polls conducted in late September and early October.

Among those who positively assessed Lee's performance, 21 percent cited diplomacy, followed by economic and livelihood issues at 14 percent, and communication at 7 percent.

Real estate policies, along with economic and security concerns, were among the main reasons cited by those who disapproved of Lee's performance.

Support for the ruling Democratic Party rose 1 percentage point to 37 percent, marking its second consecutive weekly gain after hitting a record low of 35 percent in early October.

The approval rating for the main opposition People Power Party rose 1 percentage point to 28 percent.

When asked whether Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae should be impeached, 34 percent of the respondents supported his impeachment, while 39 percent opposed it.

In recent weeks, calls have grown among some lawmakers for Cho's impeachment over his refusal to newly recommend a candidate to the top court despite a request from the presidential office, as well as allegations of improper use of official funds.

The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.

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