Lee’s approval falls to 39% as Democratic Party support rises to 39%

A Gallup poll put South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s approval at 39%, down 2 percentage points from the previous week.

Half of respondents said he was doing a poor job, while 10% had no opinion.

The Democratic Party had 39% support, compared with 26% for the People Power Party, extending its lead beyond the poll’s margin of error for a second week.

The survey interviewed 1,002 adults by telephone from November 10 to 12, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

Respondents who approved of Lee most often cited the economy and livelihoods, while those who disapproved most often cited housing policy.

A proposed special investigation into alleged fabricated investigations and charges drew 44% support and 37% opposition.

Views were divided on merging the Democratic Party with the Rebuilding Korea Party, while People Power Party supporters more often backed independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon rejoining their party.

The poll gives a snapshot of public views; it does not say what will happen next on these political issues.