Moon's approval rating drops below 60 percent

SEOUL, Oct. 26 (Yonhap) --- President Moon Jae-in's approval rating fell below 60 percent this week, a survey showed Friday, as public interest shifted to jobs and other economic issues away from North Korea and security matters.

Moon's rating dropped 4 percentage points to 58 percent in a Gallup Korea survey of 1,001 people conducted from Tuesday to Thursday. It was the first time since the second week of September, a week before Moon's third summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, that the rating has fallen below 60 percent.

Those with negative views of Moon's performance rose 5 percentage points to 32 percent.

Improved relations with North Korea and Moon's handling of security and diplomatic issues were cited as positive points, while jobs and other economic problems were among the reasons for negative views, the survey showed.

"As the parliamentary audit of the government neared its end, various problems with ministries and agencies came in the spotlight. In particular, slowing growth, jobs and other economic issues regained public interest," Gallup Korea said.

Moon's ruling Democratic Party also saw its approval rating drop 2 percentage points to 43 percent, while the ratings of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, the minor opposition Justice Party and the Bareunmirae Party rose 1 percentage point to 14 percent, 10 percent and 6 percent, respectively.
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