Lee Jae Myung's Approval Rating Surpasses 40% for First Time Since Early September

According to the Gallup Korea poll, President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rose to 40%, the highest since early September. The survey, conducted from Tuesday through Thursday, involved 1,001 participants aged 18 and older. The poll showed that positive assessments of Lee's performance increased by 1 percentage point compared to the previous week, while the disapproval rate of his handling of state affairs decreased by 2 percentage points to 50%. Yonhap News Agency reported the approval rating reaching 40% for the first time since early September, while the Korea Herald provided more detailed context about the survey methodology and results, including the sample size and time frame of the poll. The Korea Herald noted that the disapproval rate of Lee's handling of state affairs fell by 2 percentage points to 50%, indicating a significant portion of the public remains critical of his leadership. Both Yonhap News Agency and the Korea Herald reported the same approval rating, but the Korea Herald included additional context about the disapproval rate and its decline. The poll results were released on the same day by both Yonhap News Agency and the Korea Herald, highlighting a slight improvement in public perception of Lee's leadership. The approval rating last stood at 40% in the first week of September, according to the report. The poll was conducted by Gallup Korea, a reputable polling organization in South Korea. The approval rating increase is attributed to improved public sentiment regarding Lee's performance, though a significant portion of the public remains critical of his leadership.