Lee Jae-myung's Approval Rating Hits All-Time Low, Democratic Party's Crisis Deepens

According to a Gallup Korea poll, Lee Jae-myung's approval rating reached its lowest point. Among young people, specifically those aged 18 to 29, only 25% gave a positive evaluation, while 53% expressed negative views. For those in their 30s, positive evaluations stood at 31% and negative evaluations at 60%, confirming that a majority of young people hold negative views.

According to institutional estimates, individual investors have incurred stock investment losses ranging from 10 trillion to as much as 50 trillion won. Coupled with a shortage of jeonse (long-term lease deposit) properties and rising monthly rents, anxiety across the overall livelihood economy is growing. These economic difficulties are acting as a primary factor in accelerating public disaffection.

Recent incessant controversies surrounding ministerial nominees have made personnel issues a key driver of the decline in approval ratings. In particular, criticisms of 'shield appointments,' which appear to protect specific individuals rather than focus on public welfare, have severely damaged trust in the government. This has led to public outrage and the emergence of theories about a 'September crisis' and 'October limits'.

According to the August regular survey results from Hangil Research, negative evaluations of Lee Jae-myung in the Seoul metropolitan area surpassed 70%. This figure is higher than the 64.3% negative evaluation recorded in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region. The high negative evaluation in Seoul indicates a serious crack in Lee's support base.

The fundamental cause of the 70% negative evaluation in Seoul is analyzed as economic disappointment. Public sentiment is fluctuating in major Seoul areas like Dongdaemun-gu, and Seoul citizens, who are sensitive to the stock and real estate markets, express a loss of hope for earning money. It is argued that this disappointment is directly reflected in the opinion poll results.

Doubts about the visit's achievements persist, and controversy over diplomatic priorities in the current livelihood crisis has emerged.

In particular, Rep. Yong Hye-in has faced criticism of being 'bottomless (corruption)' and allegations of a family party and nomination fraud. These controversies are leading to criticisms that Lee Jae-myung's personnel decisions are problematic.

This remark has further amplified the ongoing personnel controversy in political circles. There was also a mention that related articles would soon be published.

Representative Yong Hye-in's remarks from six years ago, where she criticized political parties receiving government subsidies as 'parasite parties' and used a 'Parasite' movie poster, have resurfaced. Voices are now comparing her past statements with her current situation, criticizing her.

The 'Kim Hyun-ji manipulation theory' raised by some has been dismissed as unfounded.

Criticism has also been raised about operating the party solely with aides.

He also mentioned that at that time, forces from the Unified Progressive Party dominated the student council.

Criticism has been raised that past student activist groups advertised volunteer activities but then actually mobilized people to protest sites. It is argued that they disguised recruitment for demonstrations as volunteer work because they couldn't gather enough people for protests alone.

The reason Democratic Party lawmakers do not directly attack Lee Jae-myung and remain silent is attributed to concerns about disadvantages in nominations. The case of the five first-term lawmakers during the by-election defeat was mentioned, indicating fear of backlash from strong supporters and potential impact on nominations. This is criticized as a cowardly attitude, merely demanding Lee Jae-myung's resignation but avoiding direct attacks.

This rise is attributed to the People Power Party's internal consolidation and strengthening of its support base.

This result appears to reflect the anger of voters in their 30s caused by real estate issues and a deteriorating stock market. The call for judgment against the Lee Jae-myung administration is interpreted as having influenced the rise in approval ratings among those in their 30s.