Politics · South Korea · 23 hrs ago
Two South Korean polls show sharply different ratings for President Lee
Two polls gave President Lee Jae-myung different approval ratings this week, highlighting how survey results can vary.
A Korea Society Opinion Institute poll found 34.9% approved of Lee’s performance, while 58.8% disapproved.
That was the lowest approval rating recorded by the institute, and disapproval was above half in every age group and all regions except Honam.
A separate National Barometer Survey found 44% approved and 49% disapproved, with approval up one point from its previous poll two weeks earlier.
The polls questioned similar numbers of adults on overlapping dates, but used different methods: automated phone responses for the first and live phone interviews for the second.
The results offer different snapshots of public opinion, so they should not be treated as a single agreed rating; neither survey says what will happen next.
Two South Korean polls published on consecutive days reported sharply different approval ratings for President Lee Jae-myung.
A KSOI poll put positive evaluations of Lee’s performance at 34.9%, its lowest result for the institute.
A separate National Barometer Survey (NBS) poll found 44% positive evaluations and 49% negative evaluations.
The polls surveyed different samples using different methods, and their results are not directly identical measures.
The NBS poll also found 65% favored a firm response to a recent landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and the respondents in two nationwide polls.
- What
- The polls reported different ratings of Lee’s job performance: 34.9% positive in the KSOI poll and 44% in the NBS poll.
- When
- The KSOI poll was conducted October 12–13 and reported October 14, 2026. The NBS poll was conducted October 12–14 and reported October 15.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
KSOI surveyed 1,001 adults nationwide about Lee’s job performance.
Munhwa Ilbo reported the KSOI poll’s 34.9% positive rating for Lee.
Four research firms conducted the NBS poll among 1,000 adults nationwide.
Donga Ilbo reported the NBS poll’s 44% positive rating for Lee.
- KSOI positive rating
- 34.9%
- KSOI negative rating
- 58.8%
- NBS positive rating
- 44%
- NBS negative rating
- 49%
- KSOI sample
- 1,001 adults
- NBS sample
- 1,000 adults
3 sources
What people are saying
an unexpected accident