SEOUL — President Lee Jae-myung’s job approval rating has reached 64%, continuing a steady upward trend as the administration doubles down on economic recovery and housing stability. According to a Gallup Korea poll released on February 27, 2026, the President’s positive rating rose by 1 percentage point from the previous survey conducted earlier this month.
Economic and Real Estate Policies Drive Support
The poll, conducted from February 24 to 26 among 1,000 adults nationwide, reveals that "Economy and Livelihood" and "Real Estate Policy" are the primary drivers behind the high approval, with each cited by 17% of positive respondents.
Since taking office in mid-2025 following a historic snap election, President Lee has aggressiveley pursued a "fair growth" agenda. Recently, his administration announced a major tourism overhaul aiming for 30 million annual foreign visitors by 2030. Speaking at a strategy meeting held at the Blue House—which Lee restored as the presidential headquarters in December 2025—the President emphasized that "tourism benefits must flow directly to local alleyway businesses and small owners in the regions."
The Real Estate Paradox
Interestingly, real estate remains a double-edged sword for the administration. While it is a top reason for support, it also remains the leading cause for negative evaluation (15%).
The administration has recently signaled a "zero-tolerance" policy toward speculative housing. President Lee recently warned that "it will be more advantageous to sell than to hold" for those owning high-priced investment properties. This "stick and carrot" approach—protecting actual residents while penalizing speculators through taxation and finance—has polarized the electorate but solidified his base among those seeking market stabilization.
Widening Gap in Party Loyalty
The political landscape continues to favor the ruling Democratic Party (DP), which holds 43% support. In contrast, the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) remains stagnant at 22%. Analysts suggest the PPP is struggling to find its footing amid internal divisions and the lingering shadow of the previous administration’s exit. Minor parties, including the Rebuilding Korea Party (3%) and the Reform Party (2%), continue to occupy small niches, while a significant 28% of the electorate remains unaligned, marking a potential "swing" group for the upcoming June local elections.
Survey Methodology
The Gallup Korea survey utilized cell phone RDD-based interviews with a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points. The response rate was 11.8%. Further details are available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission website.
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