(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on Sept. 17)

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has plummeted to the low 30s, a stark contrast from his peak of around 60 percent just a few months prior, according to a recent Realmeter poll. This significant decline in public support should be a matter of concern for the president and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), as public confidence is crucial for effective governance.

President Lee's early popularity was largely based on his promise of delivering results, but concerns about the stock market, housing, and controversial personnel decisions have contributed to the erosion of that confidence. Additionally, his frequent use of social media and livestreamed Cabinet meetings, while intended to enhance communication, have inadvertently exposed him to criticism of becoming too involved in government minutiae.

The growing controversy surrounding constitutional reform and the potential granting of broader authority to prosecutors has further complicated the situation, as the absence of a clear presidential stance has allowed suspicions to arise that political interests may be influencing institutional and legal arrangements.

Brief written by urgent.news from Yonhap News's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.