South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is grappling with declining approval ratings, despite increasing efforts to engage directly with the public through social media. A recent national poll highlighted a drop in his approval rating by 2.2 percentage points, bringing it down to 35.2%, while disapproval climbed to 61.4%. This trend reflects growing discontent among centrist, conservative, and progressive voters over various government policies and ongoing political disputes.
President Lee’s administration has been criticized for issues including personnel appointments, judicial independence, national security, and escalating housing costs in the Seoul metropolitan area. Additionally, internal disagreements within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea over prosecution reform have fueled political tensions. As a result, the party’s public support experienced a significant decline, dropping seven percentage points to 35.5% in a separate survey, while the main opposition People Power Party rose to 41.3%.
In response to these challenges, President Lee has amplified his presence on the social media platform X, aiming to clarify government policies and address political controversies. His activity increased markedly, from 37 posts in August to 116 in September, with 65 posts already published in October. Beyond social media, he has committed to further direct engagement through press conferences, public debates, field visits, and livestreams.
However, some of Lee’s social media interactions and personnel choices have sparked criticism, including disagreements with supporters on prosecution reform. Opposition leaders have questioned whether his social media strategy genuinely addresses public concerns or merely engages political allies.
The debate over the effectiveness of President Lee’s communication efforts comes as his administration faces scrutiny over economic policies, national security, and judicial independence. As Lee seeks to rebuild public support, the political landscape remains tense, with his strategies under close examination by both supporters and critics alike.