{
  "id": 5466900,
  "title": "Lee's approval rating hits new low of 40%: poll",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/lees-approval-rating-hits-new-low-of-40-poll",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T02:12:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/politics/20260904/lees-approval-rating-hits-new-low-of-40-poll"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has plummeted to a new low of 40%, according to a recent poll conducted by Gallup Korea. The survey, which polled 1,001 individuals aged 18 and above between Tuesday and Thursday, revealed that Lee's management of state affairs received positive feedback from only 40% of respondents, a decline of 2 percentage points from the previous week. Conversely, Lee's disapproval rating increased by 1 percentage point to 51%, marking the highest level since his inauguration.\n\nThe economy and people's livelihoods emerged as the primary reasons for the positive assessment, cited by 14% of those polled. Diplomacy and overall performance followed, with 13% and 10% respectively. When assessing Lee negatively, 23% of respondents pointed to his real estate policies as the main concern, while 11% cited economic and livelihood issues, and 9% were critical of personnel appointments. Gallup attributed the recent surge in concerns over personnel appointments to Lee's recent Cabinet reshuffle, wherein six new ministers were nominated.\n\nThe pollster also noted that real estate policies have remained a persistent concern throughout the poll, suggesting a continued source of discontent among the public.",
  "summary": "President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating fell to 40 percent, marking its lowest level since he took office in June last year, a poll showed Friday. In a survey conducted by Gallup Korea from Tuesday through Thursday on 1,001 people aged 18 and older, 40 percent positively assessed Lee's management of state affairs, down 2 percentage points from the previous week. Lee's disapproval rating rose 1…",
  "key_points": [
    "President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating dropped to 40%, a new low.",
    "Gallup Korea survey of 1,001 individuals between Tuesday and Thursday.",
    "Real estate policies cited as main concern by 23% of respondents."
  ],
  "editors_take": "President Lee Jae Myung's slumping approval rating signals growing public discontent with his policies, particularly on real estate and personnel appointments, which could erode his political capital.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Lee's approval rating hits new low of 40 pct: poll",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/lees-approval-rating-hits-new-low-of-40-pct-poll",
        "published": "2026-09-04T01:37:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Lee's approval rating hits new low of 40%: poll",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/lees-approval-rating-hits-new-low-of-40-poll-5468702",
        "published": "2026-09-04T02:22:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}