Lee's approval rating edges up to 55.9%

SEOUL, November 24 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has inched up to 55.9 percent, up 1.4 percentage points from the previous week, pollster Realmeter said on Monday.

According to the nationwide poll of over 2,500 people aged 18 and older conducted from Nov. 17 to 21, some 40.5 percent of respondents disapproved of Lee's performance, down 0.7 percentage points.

The uptick in approval was attributed to his recent diplomatic achievements including a US$150 billion memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed during his tour of the Middle East and South Africa, while worsening financial indicators such as the country's benchmark KOSPI falling below 3,900 points and a deteriorating won against the dollar may have influenced unfavorable views.

In a separate survey of over 1,000 respondents last week, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) garnered 47.5 percent of support, up 0.8 percentage points from a week ago, while the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) suffered a further slide to 34.8 percent, down 0.6 percentage points.

The minor Reform Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party earned 3.8 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively, followed by the left-wing Progressive Party at 1.1 percent.

Both surveys were conducted via automated phone responses, with participation rates of 4.8 percent and 3.7 percent.

More details are available on the National Election Commission's website.

* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.

Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.