Lee Jae-myung's Approval Rating Enters 30s for First Time

The results of this survey, commissioned by Straight News, show that President Lee's approval rating has finally dropped to the 30% range. The host assessed this drop in approval rating as a somewhat anticipated trend.

Many elders, including Professor Baek Nak-chung and Do-ol, advised against being overly concerned with approval ratings at this point. The host emphasized that fortunately, there is a major election two years from now, so it is important for President Lee to faithfully carry out the national tasks he initially promised the public and to restore his approval rating through those achievements.

The host said, "Many, uh, many elders, including Professor Baek Nak-chung, and also Do-ol, yes, fortunately, there is a big election in about two years, so now rather than being overly concerned with approval ratings, uh, I think it's important for President Lee to faithfully carry out the national tasks he initially promised the public and to produce results, and through that, to restore his approval rating."

The host mentioned that healthy checks and criticism from a principled progressive perspective are necessary regarding the inert actions of the Democratic Party's hardliners, meaning the entire Lee Jae-myung administration. Citing the opposition to the FTA during the Roh Moo-hyun administration as an example, he explained that the withdrawal of support due to disappointment after expectations for reform should be respected. He added that even such temporary withdrawals of support would eventually return during a major election.

The host characterized the pro-Moon forces who supported Lee Nak-yon as opportunistic Moon factions, stating that they could switch to the ruling party at any time depending on the situation. He analyzed that their withdrawal of support was partly due to a backlash against Representative Jung Chung-rae's defeat. Therefore, he emphasized that principles should not be abandoned by being swayed by these opportunistic Moon factions during the policy implementation process.

The host questioned whether there had ever been an administration as transparent as the Lee Jae-myung administration in terms of knowing what the president was thinking or in what direction he was heading. He also mentioned that he believes all opinions are being gathered and listened to, making it difficult to understand why there are talks of poor communication. The host said, "Honestly, has there ever been an administration as transparent as the Lee Jae-myung administration where we could so clearly know what the president was thinking or in what direction he was heading? I mean, honestly, and I believe that all opinions are being gathered and listened to, so I really don't understand why people are talking about poor communication and things like that. That part is truly incomprehensible to me."