Lee's approval rating dips to record low of 38 pct: poll

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has plummeted to a record low of 38 percent, according to a Gallup Korea survey conducted from September 10 to 12, 2021. The poll of 1,000 adults aged 18 and above revealed a decline of 2 percentage points from the previous week. Among those who expressed a negative view of Lee's handling of affairs, 24 percent cited real estate policies, 16 percent attributed it to personnel appointments, and 10 percent blamed economic and livelihood concerns.

The rise in complaints about personnel appointments appears to be linked to the controversy surrounding Lee's recent Cabinet reshuffle. When questioned on the suitability of appointees, 43 percent deemed justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won unfit, while 61 percent deemed Basic Income Party representative Yong Hye-in unfit for the position of gender equality minister.

Both nominees faced allegations of misconduct; Kim was accused of illegally lobbying authorities over a COVID-19 treatment in 2021, and Yong was criticized for retaining her proportional representation seat in the National Assembly and alleged nepotism. Support for Lee's ruling Democratic Party remained steady at 38 percent, while the main opposition People Power Party's backing dropped by 1 percentage point to 29 percent.

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