South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's approval rating plummeted to 28% less than three months after taking office, a public survey showed Friday, as he faces challenges including threats by North Korea as well as some domestic issues.
The support rate, released by Gallup Korea, marked a decline from 52% in May, immediately after his inauguration. The disapproval rate stood at 62%.
The result also comes as South Korea is working toward solving wartime labor issues with Japan, with the two countries having renewed efforts to repair relations following the formation of Yoon's government.
On domestic front, Gallup analyzed that the police reform promoted by Yoon's administration was the main cause of the recent drop in approval ratings.
Amid strong opposition from senior police officers, the administration has been trying to carry out reforms aggressively by establishing a new police bureau under the government.
Yoon's apparent dissatisfaction with the ruling People Power Party's leader Lee Jun-suk, which has been leaked to the news media revealing the conflict within the party, is also believed to have negatively affected the approval rating.
The support rate for Yoon fell below 30% at an irregularly fast pace compared with his predecessors.
Moon Jae-in took about four years after inauguration to see his rate fall to that level and Park Geun-hye about two years, according to Gallup.