South Korean president’s approval rating hits new low

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since he took office, extending its decline for a ninth consecutive week, Yonhap News Agency reported Monday.

A Realmeter survey of 2,515 adults showed 33.8% positively assessed Lee’s handling of state affairs, down 3.6 percentage points from the previous week.

His disapproval rating climbed 3.8 points to 63.3%.

Realmeter attributed the decline to controversies surrounding Lee’s recent Cabinet reshuffle, debate over the possible deployment of military assets to the Strait of Hormuz and uncertainty over real estate policies, according to Yonhap.

Support among respondents aged 18 to 29 dropped 10.2 percentage points.

Gender equality minister nominee Yong Hye-in stepped down Sunday amid criticism over alleged nepotism and plans to retain her parliamentary seat. Justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won has separately faced allegations of illegally lobbying authorities over approval of a COVID-19 treatment in 2021.

A separate Realmeter poll showed the ruling Democratic Party’s support falling 5.7 points to 36.1%, while the opposition People Power Party rose 4.5 points to 42.1%.

The presidential poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.