Eight out of 10 Koreans consider it is likely to be true that President Park Geun-hye’s close confidante had pulled strings to interfere with state affairs, a survey found Friday.

The Gallup Korea poll, conducted Tuesday and Thursday following President Park Geun-hye’s apology Tuesday, showed that only 6 percent of the respondents think the accusations are false, while 14 percent deferred their judgement.

The poll also showed the Park’s approval rating dropped to 17 percent, the lowest level since her inauguration in February 2013.

The findings are in sync with other polls released Thursday which all showed a sharp drop in support for Park across regions and all age groups.

By Korea Herald staff / ()


koreaherald@heraldcorp.com