Amid declining approval ratings and escalating political tensions, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ramped up his efforts on the social media platform X to engage directly with the public. Recent national polls indicate a drop in his approval rating by 2.2 percentage points to 35.2%, with disapproval climbing to 61.4%. The data also reveals diminishing support among centrist, conservative, and progressive voters, highlighting increasing concerns regarding government policies and political disputes.
President Lee has faced critique over several issues, including personnel appointments, judicial independence, national security, and rising housing costs in the Seoul metropolitan area. Disputes over prosecution reform within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea have further fueled tensions. Public support for the ruling party has also suffered, with a notable seven percentage point decline to 35.5%, while the main opposition People Power Party saw an increase to 41.3%, though the difference remains within the survey’s margin of error.
In response to these challenges, Lee has significantly increased his activity on X, using the platform to clarify government policies, address political controversies, and highlight his administration’s achievements. His posts surged from 37 in August to 116 in September, with 65 more published in October. Beyond social media, Lee has committed to enhancing direct engagement through press conferences, public debates, field visits, and livestreams.
Nevertheless, some of Lee’s online remarks and decisions have sparked criticism, including disagreements over the direction of prosecution reform. Opposition leaders have questioned whether his social media strategy genuinely addresses broader public concerns or simply engages existing political allies. This debate unfolds as President Lee endeavors to regain public support amid ongoing disputes over economic policy, national security, and judicial independence.