Lee's approval rating hits record low of 42%: poll

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has plummeted to an all-time low of 42%, according to a recent poll conducted by Gallup Korea. The survey, which polled 1,001 individuals aged 18 and above, revealed that Lee's management of state affairs currently receives positive reviews from only a quarter of the population. This marks a significant decline of 3 percentage points from the previous week and represents the lowest approval rating since Lee assumed office in June of the previous year.

His disapproval rating, on the other hand, has surged to an alarming 50%, up 5 percentage points from the prior week.

Diplomacy emerged as the most commonly cited factor contributing to the favorable assessment, with 16% of respondents praising Lee's diplomatic efforts. The economy and people's livelihoods also garnered support, cited by 11% and 10% of the respondents, respectively. Clear and effective communication with the public ranked fourth at 10%.

Conversely, those who expressed dissatisfaction with Lee's performance pointed to his real estate policies as the primary concern, cited by 27% of the respondents. Other frequently mentioned grievances included efforts to reform the prosecution system to limit prosecutors' investigative powers, noted by 7% of the respondents. The poll also highlighted ethical issues as another area of concern among those who disapproved of Lee's leadership.