In its survey of over 1,000 people nationwide conducted earlier this week, some 52 percent said Lee was not doing a good job, up 1 percentage point from the previous week.
About nine percent were undecided or declined to answer.
Lee's approval rating had hit its lowest level since he took office in previous surveys amid a downward trend that began in late August. The latest uptick suggests the decline may have temporarily stalled, although negative assessments remained above half.
Among respondents who approved of Lee's performance, diplomacy was the most frequently cited reason at 20 percent, followed by economic and livelihood issues at 11 percent.
Among those who disapproved, complaints about real estate policies were the most frequently cited reason, at 19 percent. Economic and livelihood concerns followed at 12 percent, while defense and security issues accounted for 11 percent.
Gallup Korea said real estate-related policies have remained the leading source of dissatisfaction since the fourth week of July. It also pointed to growing criticism over economic issues including the government's response to stock market declines, as the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell from the 7,000 level to the 5,000 level in recent weeks.
By political affiliation, 74 percent of supporters of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) viewed Lee's performance positively, while 86 percent of supporters of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) disapproved of it.
By gender, Lee's approval rating was 41 percent among women and 36 percent among men, while disapproval stood at 48 percent and 57 percent, respectively.
Respondents in their 40s and 50s were relatively evenly split in their assessments, while other age groups leaned negative.
In terms of party support, the DP and PPP each gained 1 percentage point from the previous week, to 36 percent and 27 percent, respectively.
Among the minor parties, the liberal Rebuilding Korea Party garnered 3 percent, followed by the centrist Reform Party at 2 percent and the left-wing Progressive Party at 1 percent. Some 29 percent of respondents said they supported none of the parties.
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