South Korea's Lee Jae-myung Posts Record-High 66% Approval in Gallup Korea Poll
South Korea’s president, Lee Jae-myung, is enjoying a 66% approval rating in a new nationwide poll, the highest since he took office. The survey by Gallup Korea interviewed 1,002 adults aged 18 and over across the country from August 10 to 12. The official opposition party, People Power Party, registered 20% support, while the ruling Democratic Party stood at 47%.
Respondents cited economy and living conditions as the top reason for their positive view of the president, at 20%. Diplomacy followed with 10%, and several other factors—overall performance, housing policy, and communication—each drew about 8%. On the negative side, 16% blamed the economy, living standards, and the high exchange rate, with diplomacy and a general negative impression at 8% and 7% respectively.
Regional and demographic patterns are mixed. Support is strongest outside Daegu and North Gyeongsang, where 49% back the president. The highest regional support is in Gwangju and Jeolla, at 83%. Agewise, the 40s cohort leads with 79% approval, while those in their 20s show 49%. Ideologically, 88% of progressives back the president, 75% of moderates, and 37% of conservatives.
Party allegiance reflects a widening gap. The Democratic Party stands at 47% and the People Power Party at 20%, with the DP up 1 point and the PPP down 1 point from the last poll. Among voters who identify with progressive groups, 79% back the Democratic Party; among conservatives, 53% back the People Power Party; moderates favor the DP at 51%, with 12% backing the PPP and 31% not declaring a party preference.
Other minor parties together account for a small share: Jinbo Party 2%, Reformist and Progressive-New parties each at 1%, while those not aligned with any party remain at 28%.
The same survey also asked about a separate social policy issue. A large majority, 81%, supported lowering the upper age limit for what is known as status-offense juvenile law from under 14, while 13% opposed and 6% were unsure. Among the 815 respondents who favored an earlier age threshold, the most common preferred cutoffs were under 12 (39%), under 13 (28%), under 10 (20%), and under 11 (11%).
The poll’s methodology involved randomly generated mobile phone numbers and telephone interviews. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level; the contact rate was 44.4% and the response rate 11.9%. For U.S. readers, the results matter because Korea’s domestic politics influence its credibility as a security ally, its stance on North Korea, and its technology-driven economy that intersects global supply chains for semiconductors, electronics, and other advanced goods. Large shifts in domestic politics can affect policy continuity, regulatory approaches, and economic signaling that ripple through American markets and partnerships.