Lee's Approval Rating at 42%... 46% Support Regaining Wartime Operational Control During His Term [PolPol News]

Gallup Poll

President Lee's Approval Rating Plunges to New Low Since Inauguration

Public Opinion Strongly Opposed to Military Academy Integration

President Lee Jaemyung’s job approval rating has declined once again. Public opinion regarding the transfer of wartime operational control during his term is divided between those who believe it should be returned before his term ends and those who think it should be postponed.

According to a regular poll released by Gallup Korea on August 28 (conducted via mobile phone interviews between August 25 and 27 among 1,001 people aged 18 and over nationwide, with a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level and a response rate of 9.5%), 42% of respondents said President Lee is “doing a good job.” This figure represents a decline of 3 percentage points compared to the same survey last week. Negative evaluations, those saying he is “doing a poor job,” rose by 5 percentage points to 50%. The approval rating has hit a new low since he took office in June last year, and the negative rating is also the highest since his inauguration.

Yonhap News Agency

Among the 424 respondents who gave a positive evaluation, 16% cited diplomacy, 11% pointed to the economy and people's livelihood, and 10% mentioned communication. In contrast, among the 499 respondents with a negative view, 27% cited real estate policies, 7% mentioned the reduction of prosecutorial authority, 7% highlighted the economy and livelihood, and another 7% pointed to issues of morality and his avoidance of personal trials.

In party support ratings, the Democratic Party of Korea recorded 39%, a decrease of 2 percentage points compared to last week. The People Power Party remained unchanged at 25%. The Cho Guk Innovation Party stood at 4%, the Reform New Party at 3%, and the Progressive Party at 1%.

This poll also measured perceptions on national defense and North Korea. Regarding the government's move to reclaim wartime operational control during its term, 46% of respondents said it “should be returned,” while 41% said the return “should be further postponed.”

As for the threat of war from North Korea, 39% felt there was a threat (significant+moderate), while 55% responded there was little or no threat. Regarding military power, 70% believed South Korea is superior, while 21% thought North Korea is stronger. On the issue of whether South Korea should possess nuclear weapons, 65% supported nuclear armament, while 30% were opposed.

Regarding the integration of the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies, 30% supported integration, while 58% opposed it.

For further details on the poll, please refer to the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.