In brief
In Seoul, a Realmeter survey released by the Asia Business Daily reported a 1.6‑point rise in public support for President Lee Jae Myung to 36.9% on November 1, driven by diplomatic progress at the South Korea‑Germany summit and favorable economic data. The poll also showed modest gains for the ruling Democratic Party and a slight dip in opposition support, yet the president remains below the 40% threshold for the tenth week in a row.
In Seoul, on November 2, 2026, a survey released by the Asia Business Daily found President Lee Jae Myung’s approval rating has edged up to 36.9 percent, a 1.6‑point lift from the previous week’s figure.
The Realmeter poll sampled 2,515 adults across the country from Monday to Friday, applying a 95‑percent confidence interval with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points for the presidential question.
Lee’s disapproval rating fell 2.2 percentage points to 60.1 percent; the net change reflects a modest movement in public perception of his job performance.
Realmeter analysts cited two key elements as drivers of the uptick: diplomatic achievements reported during a recent summit between South Korea and Germany and a set of positive economic indicators, including a growing current account surplus and the government's plan to expand the housing supply in the greater Seoul area.
The survey also measured party support, revealing that the ruling Democratic Party increased its approval by 2.3 points to 38.3 percent, while the main opposition People Power Party saw a 2.4‑point decline to 40.2 percent. This portion of the poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
Despite these gains, Lee’s rating has remained below 40 percent for the tenth consecutive week, the lowest it has been since late August when it slid to 38.9 percent from 40.2 percent in that month’s fourth week.
Public approval charts of a leader are critical in a democracy; they signal to elected officials the degree of accountability trusted from voters. A rating that stays under 40 percent for an extended period suggests that the population’s confidence in the leader’s capacity to navigate domestic and international crises remains fragile, and may influence the political discourse leading up to future national elections.
Economic stances are equally significant. The reported surplus in the current account indicates a strengthening balance of trade, which can inform governmental fiscal and monetary policy decisions. Meanwhile, the pledge to broaden the housing supply addresses longstanding concerns about affordability and urban congestion, potentially affecting satisfaction among voters directly impacted by housing market conditions.
For the Democratic Party, the 2.3‑point swing may reinforce perceptions that its policies resonate partially with the electorate, but the small margin still underscores the need for continued engagement with constituents’ priorities, especially in the face of an opposition party that has managed to secure a higher overall polling figure.
The Realmeter poll, commissioned by the Asia Business Daily, is part of an ongoing effort to present timely political indicators to citizens. By providing concrete data on approval and disapproval trends, it helps citizens, journalists, and policymakers navigate accountability and democratic engagement.
As South Korea moves forward, the prevailing public sentiment expressed by this latest survey will likely shape the cadence of policy debates, the leadership’s strategic outreach, and the broader narrative of democratic vitality within the nation.
