A Nationwide Barometer Survey launched Thursday confirmed 43 per cent of respondents authorized of Lee’s dealing with of state affairs, down seven proportion factors from two weeks earlier, whereas 48 per cent disapproved. It was the primary time disapproval exceeded approval within the biweekly ballot since Lee took workplace in June 2025.
The identical survey discovered 45 per cent opposed deploying army belongings, together with maritime patrol plane and help ships, to Hormuz, in contrast with 36 per cent who supported such a transfer. Opposition was strongest amongst respondents of their 40s and 50s and amongst supporters of Lee’s ruling Democratic Get together, underscoring the home political danger surrounding any army contribution.
Seoul has repeatedly stated no ultimate resolution has been made. Seong Ghi-hong, senior presidential secretary for public relations and communication, stated Wednesday that the federal government had not finalised its coverage and was “cautiously assessing” the difficulty. A Defence Ministry inspection workforce despatched to the United Arab Emirates to look at circumstances returned on Thursday.
The federal government has described the mission as an evaluation somewhat than preparation for deployment. Nationwide Safety Adviser Wi Sung-lac additionally stated talks between Lee and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris targeted on potential contributions to maritime safety and freedom of navigation, not on an settlement to ship troops.
The controversy has sharpened as US President Donald Trump presses allies to assist safe Hormuz throughout the extended battle with Iran. Trump has publicly criticised Seoul over its reluctance to help US efforts within the waterway, which carries a serious share of the vitality provides utilized by South Korea and different Asian economies.
South Korean officers have denied that Washington imposed a deadline for a deployment. The presidential workplace has stated Seoul is discussing sensible methods to help peace, stability and free navigation with worldwide companions, whereas weighing army readiness, authorized necessities and the dangers of deeper involvement within the battle.
Any dispatch of troops would require approval from the Nationwide Meeting, the place Lee’s Democratic Get together holds a majority. That provides the federal government procedural room however doesn’t take away the political price of appearing in opposition to a sizeable share of public opinion, together with voters aligned with the ruling camp.
A separate Hangil Analysis survey performed from September 5 to 7 discovered 47.1 per cent opposed deployment and 43 per cent supported it, a distinction inside the ballot’s margin of error. Opposition rose to 55.5 per cent amongst Democratic Get together supporters and 62.4 per cent amongst self-described liberals.
Lee’s broader scores have additionally weakened for home causes. A Realmeter survey launched Monday put his approval at 37.4 per cent, down 1.5 proportion factors over the week and the eighth consecutive weekly decline. The pollster linked the autumn primarily to disputes over a cupboard reshuffle and housing-related coverage modifications somewhat than the Hormuz query alone.
Gallup Korea final week positioned Lee’s approval at 40 per cent, with 51 per cent disapproving. Respondents who considered him negatively most frequently cited actual property coverage, adopted by considerations concerning the economic system and livelihoods and dissatisfaction with personnel appointments.
The Hormuz difficulty however provides a foreign-policy dilemma at a delicate second. South Korea relies upon closely on imported vitality, and disruption within the strait has already elevated the strategic significance of preserving delivery routes open. On the identical time, Iran has warned Seoul in opposition to army participation, saying such a transfer could possibly be considered as siding with US army motion.
Transport by way of Hormuz stays sharply under pre-war ranges as the US and Iran proceed army and financial strain across the waterway. The battle has pushed oil costs greater and complex provide planning throughout Asia, giving Seoul a direct financial curiosity in restoring safer passage with out turning into drawn additional into hostilities.
