Korean President Lee's approval rating turns negative for first time

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s approval rating turned negative for the first time since taking office, marking a fifth consecutive weekly decline, according to a June 22 poll. Realmeter found that 46.7% of respondents approved of Lee’s job performance, down 4.8 percentage points from the prior week. The article says this is the first time his rating has fallen below 50% since he assumed office on June 4, 2025, and notes the drop from 60.5% in the second week of May to 51.5% in the second week of June. Negative evaluations rose 5.5 points to 49.7%, exceeding positive views for the first time, while 3.6% were unsure. The report links the decline to ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections and intensifying divisions within the ruling Democratic Party ahead of an Aug. 17 leadership convention. The survey ran June 15–19 among 2,517 voters.