S. Korea pres, Lee’s approval rating rises to 63% vs 59%: Gallup

S. Korea pres, Lee’s approval rating rises to 63% vs 59%: Gallup

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has surged to 63%, according to the latest Gallup Korea poll released on September 2, 2025. This marks a significant increase from the previous week's rating of 59%, and the highest approval rating since his diplomatic trip to the United States and Japan earlier this month.

The poll, conducted among 1,000 respondents aged 18 and older, found that 63% of respondents approved of Lee's performance, while 37% disapproved. The approval rating has rebounded after declining for two consecutive weeks prior to the trip. The positive evaluations were particularly high among Democratic Party (DP) supporters and progressives, both in the 90% range, and among people in their 40s and 50s, both in the 70% range. Among moderates, 62% gave a favorable evaluation.

The approval rating increase is largely attributed to the positive public reception of Lee's diplomatic efforts. When asked about the reasons for their positive evaluations, 21% cited diplomacy, making it the most common reason. The Korea-U.S. summit, which Lee attended, was also positively received by 58% of respondents, who believed it benefited national interests.

The poll also found that Lee's approval rating has recovered in all age groups except those in their 20s. The approval rating increased by 8 percentage points among those in their 30s and 7 percentage points among those in their 40s and 50s. Among conservatives and supporters of the People Power Party (PPP), negative evaluations decreased by about 10 percentage points, returning to levels seen two weeks earlier.

The approval rating increase comes as Lee's foreign policy shift is gaining traction. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently held a phone call with Lee, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral ties and promoting regional stability. The call underscores the potential for improved relations between China and South Korea under Lee's presidency.

In terms of party support, the DP polled at 44%, unchanged from the previous week, while the PPP fell two percentage points to 23%. The Reform Party stood at 3%, the Rebuilding Korea Party at 2%, and the Jinbo Party at 1%. On the recently passed pro-labor "Yellow Envelope Bill," 42% said they were in favor and 38% were opposed.

The poll was conducted through a telephone surveyor interview (CATI) method by randomly extracting virtual numbers for wireless phones. The 95% confidence level and the sampling error is ±3.1 percentage points. For more information, visit the website of the Central Election Public Opinion Review Committee.

References:
[1] https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-08-29/national/politics/Lees-approval-rebounds-to-59-on-diplomacy-in-US-summit/2387399
[2] https://www.mk.co.kr/en/politics/11405850
[3] https://www.dw.com/en/chinas-xi-calls-for-stronger-ties-with-south-korea/a-72850496