[REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK] Why Lee skipped summer vacation

President Lee Jae Myung has opted to skip his summer vacation this year, a decision that diverges from the norm for presidents who typically take time off between late July and early August. This move, which reflects his well-known workaholic tendencies, has sparked speculation about the underlying reasons. Multiple polls have revealed a sustained decline in Lee's approval ratings, with Realmeter's latest survey placing his approval at a record-low 43.3 percent, a fourth consecutive weekly decline.

His disapproval rating has reached 53 percent, surpassing the 44.6 percent approval rating of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea for the first time under his administration. Other surveys, such as Gallup Korea's, have mirrored this trend, with Lee's approval rating dropping to 44 percent, its lowest level since his inauguration in June 2025, and a 44 percent disapproval rating. Collectively, these surveys indicate that Lee's support is experiencing a steady decline.