Lead

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating edged up to 61.9 percent last week, continuing a streak of above-60 percent support, according to a Realmeter survey released Monday. The poll, commissioned by a local business news outlet, found that 32.8 percent of respondents disapproved of the president, down 0.5 percentage point from the previous week.

Coverage Comparison

The latest figures come from a series of weekly surveys by Realmeter. In the most recent poll, conducted Monday through Friday among 2,508 adults, the approval rating rose 0.7 percentage point from a week earlier. The margin of error was plus or minus 2 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.

The pollster partly attributed the uptick to a rebound in the local currency and stock market, fueled by expectations of a ceasefire in the United States' war against Iran.

This week's numbers follow a dip recorded in early April, when the approval rating fell to 61.2 percent—a 1 percentage point decline—amid concerns over rising oil prices, exchange rates, and inflation. At that time, 33.3 percent of respondents expressed disapproval.

In contrast, a poll conducted in late April showed the approval rating had reached a record high of 65.5 percent, driven by achievements in the economy and energy security. That peak, which marked a 3.6 percentage point increase, was the highest since Lee took office in June 2025.

Key Claims

  • Approval rating trend: The latest poll shows 61.9 percent approval, up from the previous week. Multiple weekly surveys from Realmeter confirm that support has remained above 60 percent for several consecutive weeks, though the exact duration varies by reporting period (five or seven weeks).
  • Disapproval rate: 32.8 percent of respondents disapproved in the most recent survey, down slightly from a week earlier. In the early April poll, the disapproval rate was 33.3 percent.
  • Causal factors: The most recent rise is attributed to a rebound in the local currency and stock market. Earlier declines were linked to economic burdens such as oil prices, inflation, and the high exchange rate. The record high in late April was credited to economic and energy security achievements, including securing crude oil amid the Middle East crisis and the KOSPI's recovery to the 6,200-point level.
  • Party approval ratings: In a separate Realmeter survey, the ruling Democratic Party's approval rose 0.7 percentage point to 50.6 percent, while the main opposition People Power Party fell 1.3 percentage points to 30 percent. The separate poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

Perspectives

The polling data reflects a period of fluctuating public sentiment. The early April decline was framed by Realmeter as a response to economic pressures, while the late April surge was presented as a reward for policy achievements. The most recent uptick suggests that market optimism, partly driven by geopolitical developments, has helped stabilize the president's support.

These fluctuations occur against a backdrop of regional tensions, particularly the U.S.-Iran conflict, which has influenced oil prices and global markets. The pollster's attributions are its own, and other observers may interpret the numbers differently.

All surveys were conducted by Realmeter, a South Korean polling firm, with sample sizes ranging from 2,508 to 2,519 adults and margins of error around 2 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. Separate party approval surveys used smaller samples and higher margins of error.