Lee eyes press conference to regain momentum as approval rating hits post-inauguration low

President Lee Jae Myung is considering holding a press conference as early as next week to address major domestic issues directly, including controversy over his cabinet reshuffle, real estate policy and a potential troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, sources said Friday.

The move comes as Lee's job approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since he took office, with attention focused on whether direct public outreach can help reverse the slide and reinvigorate his administration.

According to sources inside and outside Cheong Wa Dae, the idea of holding a session in which Lee would personally explain his positions as the country's top executive has been under review since early last week.

Staff have already begun compiling anticipated questions across policy areas and drafting model answers in preparation, sources said.

However, the originally planned public communication schedule has been repeatedly delayed due to Lee's overseas travel commitments and objections from some aides, sources said.

Hong Ik-pyo, Cheong Wa Dae's chief political affairs secretary, appeared on YTN Radio on Thursday and, when asked about the format and timing of public outreach, said the president would make the final call, but added, "I think there will probably be about one such event before the holiday."

Given Lee's diplomatic schedule and upcoming overseas travel, Sept. 17, Sept. 18 and Sept. 20 have been mentioned as possible dates.

Should a press conference take place, it is expected to draw a wide range of questions — from personnel decisions and real estate policy, identified as key drivers of the recent approval decline, to foreign affairs and security issues.

Chief among the anticipated topics will be the nomination rationale and future prospects of Kim Seung-won, the nominee for justice minister, and Yong Hye-in, the nominee for minister of gender equality and family, both of whom have drawn criticism during the second-round cabinet reshuffle process.

Lee is also expected to personally reaffirm his opposition to a constitutional amendment that would allow him to seek a second consecutive term. During a meeting with Korean diaspora members while visiting France, he signaled as much, saying, "My term is clearly limited under the Constitution."

The question of deploying troops to the Strait of Hormuz is also likely to come up. With the United States continuing to press for a contribution, the government is reportedly considering sending maritime patrol aircraft and logistics support vessels. On Thursday, Cheong Wa Dae communications chief Seong Gi-hong told a radio program that "if a troop deployment is not an option, technical support could also be considered."

With anxiety in the market persisting over surging home prices and jeonse rates in the Greater Seoul area, questions about the government's real estate policy direction and any additional tax or supply measures are also expected to feature prominently.

"The majority view among aides is that the president cannot expect a rebound in approval ratings by only saying what he wants to say," a Cheong Wa Dae official said. "We are exploring various ways to address what the public actually wants to hear."

A Gallup Korea poll released Friday showed the president's job approval rating at 38 percent — the first time it has fallen into the 30s since he took office. That is down 2 percentage points from the previous survey, conducted in the first week of September. His disapproval rating held steady at 51 percent.

The same poll found that 61 percent of respondents considered Yong unfit for the ministerial post, while only 13 percent said she was suitable.

The poll was conducted at a 95 percent confidence level with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Further details are available on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.