Lee’s disapproval rating tops approval for first time amid ruling party tensions

President Lee Jae Myung’s disapproval rating has surpassed his approval rating for the first time since he took office, according to a Realmeter survey released Monday, with analysts pointing to growing tensions within the ruling camp as a key factor behind the decline. Lee’s approval rating fell 4.8 percentage points from the previous week to 46.7 percent, while his disapproval rose 5.5 points to 49.7 percent, marking the first time negative assessments have exceeded positive ones since his inauguration in June 2025. It was also the first time his approval rating fell below 50 percent in a Realmeter survey. Realmeter attributed the decline to public backlash over election management failures and intensified infighting within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). The pollster also said concerns over widening wealth disparities contributed to declining support among moderate voters and those living in the Seoul metropolitan area. Kim Sang-il, a political commentator, said the drop reflected broader concerns about how the governing camp has conducted itself since the June 3 localWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times