Key facts
- President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating dropped to 50.6 percent following local elections.
- The poll showed a 6.4 percentage point decrease from the previous survey.
- Negative assessments of Lee's job performance stood at 45.5 percent.
- The ruling Democratic Party won 12 of 16 major local races.
- Ballot shortages occurred in Seoul polling stations during the elections.
- Protests demanding a revote have continued for six days.
President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has declined to 50.6 percent following last week's local elections, according to a poll released Wednesday. This marks a 6.4 percentage point drop from the previous survey, with negative assessments rising to 45.5 percent.
The elections saw the ruling Democratic Party win 12 of the 16 major metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial races. However, the opposition People Power Party (PPP) retained the symbolic Seoul mayoralty, with incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon securing his fifth term.
The poll, commissioned by Straight News and conducted by Jowon C&I, surveyed 2,000 adults from Saturday to Monday. It indicated support for the PPP at 41.6 percent and the Democratic Party at 40.4 percent.
Controversy erupted during the elections due to ballot shortages at several polling stations in Seoul. Protesters have been rallying near a vote-counting facility for six consecutive days, demanding a revote.
The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.