President Lee Jae Myung’s Approval Rating Hits 64.6 %

Advanced | August 17, 2025

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Why the President Lee Jae Myung Approval Rating Matters

The President Lee Jae Myung approval rating soared to 64.6% in mid‑July, signaling strong public support early in his presidency. According to a Realmeter poll published on July 14, his positive rating jumped by 2.5 percentage points from the previous week. At the same time, the negative rating fell, demonstrating growing confidence in his leadership soon after taking office. (Korea Joongang Daily)

A Climb That’s Uncommon—But Not Unprecedented

This rise marks a steady gain for Lee since his inauguration in early June. In one of the first Gallup polls, the President Lee Jae Myung approval rating was already around 64%—a solid starting point for a newly elected president. He continued climbing to 64.6%, showing strong momentum. (The Diplomat, Korea Herald)

What Helped Drive the Support?

Several factors seem to be behind the uptick:

The swift conclusion of a Korea–U.S. tariff deal that eased trade tensions
Lee’s firm stance on improving workplace safety after recent industrial accidents
A renewed public longing for stable, democratic governance following previous turmoil (Korea Joongang Daily, The Diplomat)

These moves resonated with voters seeking stability, realism, and reliable leadership.

Not All High: A Dip After Flood Response

Support dipped to the low 60% range recently, with his approval sliding to 62.2% amid criticisms of his flood response. A Reuters report noted that poor handling of flooding and concerns over transparency contributed to this drop. (Reuters)

What’s Next for Lee’s Approval?

Maintaining approval levels will require consistent performance—particularly on public safety, economic stability, and disaster response. Early polls show Lee on solid footing at 64.6%, but challenges lie ahead, especially if public expectations aren’t met or crises arise.

Vocabulary

Approval rating (noun) – A measure of public support for an official.
Example: “The president’s approval rating hit 64.6% in July.”
Soared (verb) – Rose quickly and dramatically.
Example: “Support for Lee soared early in his term.”
Momentum (noun) – Strength or force gained over time.
Example: “The poll’s momentum suggests growing trust.”
Inauguration (noun) – The formal swearing into office.
Example: “Support had been high from his inauguration in June.”
Tariff (noun) – A tax on imports or exports.
Example: “The tariff deal with the U.S. helped boost his rating.”
Resonate (verb) – To connect meaningfully with people.
Example: “His safety plans resonated with the voters.”
Transparency (noun) – Openness, honesty.
Example: “The flood response raised transparency concerns.”
Dip (noun) – A small drop or decline.
Example: “There was a dip in approval after the flood.”
Public safety (noun) – Measures that protect the public’s welfare.
Example: “His focus on public safety improved his image.”
Stability (noun) – Consistency and reliability in leadership.
Example: “People voted for stability after chaotic politics.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What was President Lee Jae Myung’s approval rating in mid-July?
What key policy moves helped boost his approval?
Why did his rating dip recently?
How do tariff deals and public safety impact approval ratings?
What must Lee do to maintain or grow public support?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

How would you rate your own leaders’ early approval ratings? Why?
Why do public crises often affect opinions of leaders?
Should economic policy or crisis response matter more in approval?
How can leaders maintain momentum after a strong start?
How do cultural expectations shape approval trends in your country?

Related Idiom

“Riding the wave” – Gaining momentum from positive events or actions.

Example: “President Lee is riding the wave of public approval after successful early actions.”*

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This article was inspired by: Korea JoongAng Daily (Realmeter poll), The Diplomat, Korea Times (Realmeter rebound), and Reuters (flood response dip).