South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (C) walks with military leaders and other officials before presiding over a defense strategy committee meeting in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, 26 May 2026. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
May 31 (Asia Today) -- President Lee Jae-myung will mark his first year in office Wednesday with approval ratings above 60%, a surging stock market and a policy agenda driven by a large ruling party majority.
Lee took office June 4 last year, pledging to be a president for all South Koreans after months of political turmoil following the Dec. 3 martial law crisis. His administration has since moved quickly on legislation including special counsel probes, prosecution reform and revisions to the Commercial Act aimed at strengthening shareholder rights and improving corporate governance.
In foreign and security policy, Lee has emphasized what he calls pragmatic diplomacy centered on the national interest. His administration has cited progress in tariff negotiations with the United States, expanded discussions with Washington on nuclear-powered submarines and efforts to improve relations with Japan and China.
A Gallup Korea poll released May 22 showed Lee's job approval rating at 64%, up 3 percentage points from the previous week and well above his 49.42% vote share in last year's presidential election. The ruling Democratic Party's approval rating stood at 45%, while the main opposition People Power Party fell to 22%.
