President Lee's approval rating has surged to a remarkable 66%, marking the highest point since he assumed office. This figure is based on a recent survey conducted by Gallup Korea from October 10 to 12, targeting 1,002 eligible voters aged 18 and older. The data reveals a slight increase from 65% in the previous week. Concurrently, negative evaluations of his performance decreased from 25% to 24%, indicating a potential upswing in public perception of his leadership.

The reasons for the positive evaluations primarily center around issues of the economy and livelihoods, accounting for 20% of the responses, followed by foreign policy (11%), real estate policies, general approval, and communication, each receiving 8%. On the flip side, criticisms were largely directed towards economic issues, high currency rates, foreign policy, and accusations of authoritarianism, which collectively highlight the complex landscape of public opinion amid ongoing national challenges.

In terms of party support, the Democratic Party has seen a slight rise to 47%, up from 46%, while the People Power Party declined from 21% to 20%. This marks a significant gap, with the Democratic Party leading by more than double. Since last August, support for the Democratic Party has hovered around 40%, and the People Power Party has maintained a presence in the low 20s. However, recent trends reflect an increasing divide between these two major parties, which could have implications for future political dynamics in South Korea.