Support for South Korea’s Moon Hits Record Low as Woes Pile Up
- Appointment of scandal-tainted ally emboldens critics
- Economy forecast to slow and Japan trade battle takes toll
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South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s approval rating hit a record low after he appointed a scandal-tainted ally as justice minister, adding to woes that include a tepid economy, a trade war with Japan, and North Korea snubbing his overtures for talks.
A regular tracking survey from Gallup Korea released Friday showed Moon’s rating at 40%, a drop from 43% two weeks ago. Respondents cited “personnel appointment issues” as a major reason for what they saw as shortcomings. The disapproval rate for Moon’s government hit a record high of 53%, the poll showed.