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'A new kind of president': U.S. foreign affairs magazine praises Lee for high approval ratings, governing style

Published: 07 Mar. 2026, 17:37

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during an event to celebrating military personnel promotion at Blue House in central Seoul on March 6. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

A U.S.-based foreign affairs magazine depicted President Lee Jae Myung as “a new kind of president” on Friday, attributing his high approval ratings to his administrative competence.

An article from The Diplomat titled, “Lee Jae-myung Is a New Kind of President – and South Koreans Approve,” cited Lee’s so-called pragmatism based on his “governance style that prioritizes tangible results over ceremonial rhetoric” as a key driver of his high approval ratings, which hover around 60 percent.

According to a Gallup Korea’s recent survey, Lee’s approval rating landed at 65 percent — the highest since his inauguration last June. The pollster questioned 1,001 adults aged 18 or older nationwide between March 3 and 5.

The survey, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent at a 95 percent confidence level, found that respondents answered that Lee had performed well in the economy and people’s livelihoods, real estate policies and foreign policy.

The Diplomat said Lee has effectively utilized his executive mandate to roll out his policies swiftly, noting that instead of being a "populist anomaly," his popularity appears to have stemmed from “a more methodical cause."

“Lee has successfully rebranded the presidency as a high-performance contract built on four distinct pillars: policy consistency, transactional diplomacy, radical communication and a servant-leader philosophy,” the Diplomat wrote. “Unlike previous leaders, whose campaign promises often dissolved into bureaucratic inertia, Lee arrived at the Blue House with a proven track record of administrative efficacy.”

Referring to Lee’s campaign pledge fulfillment rate, recorded to be 94 to 96 percent during his mayoral and gubernatorial years in the city of Seongnam and the province of Gyeonggi, the Diplomat mentioned that Lee demonstrated “almost obsessive adherence to policy consistency.”

Korean President Lee Jae Myung, right, shakes hands with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during his visit to Korea last month. [BLUE HOUSE]

The publication also assessed that Lee has shown “unexpected mastery of transactional diplomacy.”

“Despite having no formal diplomatic experience before assuming the presidency, he has a natural aptitude for interpersonal statecraft,” the Diplomat wrote, citing moments where Lee bonded with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva over their youth memories as child laborers.

The Diplomat also noted that Lee and right-leaning Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae showcased “unexpected chemistry” through a joint drum performance during Lee’s visit to Nara, Japan, in January.

The Diplomat further praised Lee’s “tactical pragmatism” during his talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, noting Washington’s approval allowing Korea to develop nuclear-powered submarines amid trade negotiations.

“By framing the agreement within the context of transactional burden-sharing, Lee achieved a breakthrough that had eluded his predecessors for decades, proving an ability to navigate the ‘America First’ landscape,” the publication wrote.

Korean President Lee Jae Myung shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump during a bilateral summit held in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, on Oct. 29. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

The Diplomat also noted his humble demeanor as a factor in gaining support from swing voters and moderates.

“By redefining the role of the president as a high-accountability servant of the public will, Lee is proving that administrative talent, rather than political theater, is the most sustainable fuel for a presidency,” the Diplomat wrote.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY JEONG HYE-JEONG [[email protected]]