Could the plummeting approval ratings be a signal of a mass exodus from the Lee Jae-myung administration?

Seoul Shinmun
Lee Seok-yeon, Chairperson of the National Unity Committee, resigns on the 9th... “My views differ greatly from the government”
Reporter Kang Dong-yong
Published 2026.09.03. 2:06 PM
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To Lee: “I hope even a fragment of my blunt advice is reflected”
Lee Seok-yeon, Chairperson of the National Unity Committee, delivers a keynote speech at the 2026 National Unity Consensus Dialogue held at the National Assembly Members' Hall in Seoul on the 1st. Provided by the National Unity Committee, 2026.7.1
Lee Seok-yeon, Chairperson of the National Unity Committee under the direct authority of the President, is stepping down from his position after completing a one-year term.
On the 3rd, Lee announced via Facebook, “I will step down from my position as Chairperson of the National Unity Committee under the direct authority of the President as of September 9th.”
He stated, “Although it was a short period of one year, I did my best to achieve national unity based on recognizing the differences and diversities held by each citizen and establishing constitutional values. I did this because I believed that such a path is the way forward for the Republic of Korea and the path to success for the Lee Jae-myung administration.”
He further explained the background of his resignation, saying, “However, I have realized that this government's thoughts and philosophy regarding national unity differ greatly from mine. I returned to public office to be loyal to the Constitution, not to the administration. In this situation, I now intend to step down in accordance with the President's wishes.”
Lee requested of President Lee Jae-myung, “I hope that even a fragment of the blunt advice I have given, sometimes even at the risk of being impolite, will be reflected in the process of national administration.”End of text