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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung faces persistent public dissatisfaction over real estate policies, which remain the leading driver of negative job evaluations according to an August 2026 Gallup Korea poll. The figures reflect a slight stabilization compared to the previous week’s 44% approval and 46% disapproval split. Among respondents who evaluated the president positively, 19% cited foreign policy as the primary reason, followed by economic and livelihood management at 11%. Conversely, respondents who gave negative evaluations overwhelmingly pointed to real estate policies at 28%, making housing the single largest source of presidential disapproval for successive weeks since late July. Economic and livelihood concerns followed as the second-largest negative factor at 12%.
### Economic Pessimism and Market Volatility
Public outlook on the South Korean economy over the next year reflects growing apprehension. Data shows that 36% of survey participants expect economic conditions to worsen, outpacing the 32% who anticipate improvement, while 27% believe conditions will remain similar and 5% declined to answer. Gallup Korea noted a shift in public sentiment from a narrow optimism that persisted through the first half of the year to a prevailing pessimism beginning in July. Analysts attribute the downturn to persistent instability in global oil prices, domestic inflation pressures, and heightened volatility in the local stock market.
### Political Landscape and Party Support
Party support metrics from the August survey place the ruling Democratic Party at 41%, with the main opposition People Power Party trailing at 25%. Smaller political formations registered lower figures, including the Rebuilding Korea Party, Progressive Party, and Reform Party at 2% each. Unaffiliated voters with no specific party loyalty accounted for 26% of the surveyed electorate.
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