SEOUL, December 6. /TASS/. The approval rating of the South Korean president has dropped to its lowest point since his inauguration, reaching 13%, following the imposition and subsequent lifting of martial law in the country, according to a public opinion poll conducted by Gallup Korea, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
The survey was conducted on December 3-5 and polled 1,001 participants over the age of 18 across the country. According to the overall results, 16% of respondents gave a positive assessment of the leader's work, while 75% disapproved of it. However, considering the responses received on December 4 and 5, the approval rating appears to be even lower shortly after the lifting of martial law, reaching 13%. The share of negative assessments climbed to 80%, reflecting a shift from the 75% disapproval in the previous poll.
According to a Gallup Korea poll released on November 29, the president's job approval rating stood at 19%.
On December 3, the president of South Korea unexpectedly declared martial law, only to withdraw it about six hours later. He said he made the decision to combat "pro-DPRK forces" and attempts by the opposition to obstruct the executive branch’s power. On December 4, six opposition parties initiated impeachment proceedings, claiming that Yoon Suk Yeol violated the constitution because there were no grounds for declaring martial law.