Lee Jae Myung Approval Ratings Drop Amid Political Standoff

President Lee Jae Myung experienced a decline in public approval throughout early November 2026, driven by legislative conflict and financial instability. A Realmeter poll conducted between November 2 and November 6 reported his approval rating at 35.9 percent, with negative assessments reaching 60.6 percent. The pollster linked this drop to a political standoff between the ruling Democratic Party and the opposition People Power Party over a bill requesting a special counsel investigation into alleged fabricated indictments. The National Assembly passed the bill on Friday, November 6.

Financial volatility also contributed to the decline, as the KOSPI stock market index fell below 5,000 points. A subsequent nationwide survey conducted by the National Barometer Survey between November 9 and November 11 showed a different set of figures, placing the president's approval at 44 percent and his disapproval at 47 percent. This survey indicated a trend of growing dissatisfaction with the president's communication style, with 51 percent of respondents stating that Lee should reduce his use of social media for policy communication to avoid causing confusion.

Support for the ruling Democratic Party fell to 35 percent in the later poll, while the People Power Party's support remained steady at 25 percent.