{
  "id": 8145485,
  "title": "Lee's approval rating falls to new low of 37%: poll",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/lees-approval-rating-falls-to-new-low-of-37-poll",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T01:57:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/politics/20260918/lees-approval-rating-falls-to-new-low-of-37-poll"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has plummeted to a record low of 37 percent, according to a recent poll, marking the fourth consecutive week of decline since his inauguration in June. Gallup Korea's survey, conducted from Tuesday to Thursday on 1,002 respondents aged 18 and above, revealed that Lee's positive performance rating dropped by one percentage point from the previous week. His disapproval rating, however, surged by five percentage points to 56 percent, surpassing his approval rating by 19 points and reaching its highest level since he assumed office.\n\nThe poll identified real estate policies as the primary reason for negative assessments, cited by 20 percent of respondents. Personnel appointments followed, with 16 percent of respondents criticizing Lee's recent Cabinet nominations. Economic and livelihood concerns were mentioned by 9 percent of those who disapproved of his performance. The pollster noted that real estate issues have been the leading cause of negative evaluations since late July, while personnel appointments have been the second most common reason for dissatisfaction due to recent Cabinet nominations.\n\nLee's nominations for justice minister and gender equality minister have sparked controversy in recent weeks, with both nominees facing backlash over recent controversies.",
  "summary": "President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating dropped to 37 percent, hitting a new low for the fourth consecutive week since he took office in June last year, a poll showed Friday. The survey, conducted by Gallup Korea from Tuesday through Thursday on 1,002 people aged 18 and older, showed that the positive assessment of Lee's performance fell 1 percentage point from the previous week. His…",
  "key_points": [
    "President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating fell to 37%, a record low.",
    "Gallup Korea survey found 56% disapproval, up 5 percentage points.",
    "Real estate policies cited as main reason for disapproval by 20%."
  ],
  "editors_take": "President Lee Jae Myung's plummeting approval rating signals growing public discontent with his policies, particularly on real estate and personnel appointments, which may erode his political capital.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Lee's approval rating falls to new low of 37 pct: poll",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/lees-approval-rating-falls-to-new-low-of-37-pct-poll",
        "published": "2026-09-18T01:37:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Lee's approval rating falls to new low of 37%: poll",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/lees-approval-rating-falls-to-new-low-of-37-poll-8147663",
        "published": "2026-09-18T02:12:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}