Key facts
- President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating fell to 43% in a poll conducted Sept. 10.
- Disapproval of President Lee's performance stood at 48%, surpassing his approval rating for the first time.
- 47% negatively assessed the nomination of Rep. Kim Seung-won as justice minister.
- 63% said Rep. Yong Hye-in was a poor choice for gender equality minister nominee.
- 45% of respondents opposed the possible deployment of South Korean troops to the Strait of Hormuz.
- Support for the ruling Democratic Party stood at 39%, down 2 percentage points.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has fallen to its lowest point since he took office in June last year, according to a poll released on September 10, 2026. The National Barometer Survey, which polled 1,002 adults, found that 43% of respondents positively assessed Lee's handling of state affairs, a decrease of 7 percentage points from the previous survey. Disapproval of his performance rose to 48%, marking the first time it has surpassed his approval rating in the biweekly poll.
The poll also indicated public concern over recent ministerial nominations. Forty-seven percent of respondents negatively assessed the nomination of Rep. Kim Seung-won as justice minister, while 24% viewed it positively. For the gender equality minister nominee, Rep. Yong Hye-in, 63% considered her a poor choice, compared to 17% who supported the decision. Both nominees have faced controversies since their appointments late last month.
Additionally, 45% of respondents opposed the potential deployment of South Korean troops to the Strait of Hormuz, with 36% in favor. Support for the ruling Democratic Party also saw a decline, dropping 2 percentage points to 39%, while the main opposition People Power Party increased its rating by 5 percentage points to 25%.
This news comes as President Lee recently concluded a trip to France, where he met with French National Assembly speaker Yael Braun-Pivet. The visit resulted in agreements on cooperation in nuclear power, artificial intelligence, and defense, deepening a 140-year-old bilateral relationship.