SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in's approval rating rose this week, nearing 70 percent, on expectations for improved relations with China, a survey showed Thursday.
According to the Realmeter poll, support for Moon was 69.4 percent this week, up 2.2 percentage points from the previous week.
It was based on a survey of 1,522 voters conducted from Monday to Wednesday. It had 2.5 percentage points in margin of error with a 95 percent confidence level.
Moon's support score came closer to 70 percent in about two months on expectations for enhanced ties with China, the pollster said.
Multiple local media reports expected the frosty ties, caused by the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) to South Korea, to thaw gradually.
Support for Moon gained ground after his state of the nation address in the National Assembly on Wednesday. He emphasized his government's top priority will be placed on the economy, which focuses on people, and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
The daily approval rating for Moon advanced to 71.7 percent on Wednesday, topping 70 percent for the first time in about two months.
Support for Moon's ruling Democratic Party rose 1.7 percentage points over the week to 50.9 percent this week.
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party followed with 17.5 percent in support scores, down 1.4 percentage points from a week earlier.
The centrist People's Party won 6.6 percent in approval score, while the minor conservative Righteous Party gained 4.4 percent and the minor progressive Justice Party earned 5.7 percent.
China and South Korea have been maintaining communications on the Korean Peninsula issue through diplomatic channels, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
Enhancing communication and cooperation is in accordance with the common interests of China and South Korea, a ministry press release said, adding, "Both sides agree to return communication and cooperation in various fields to the normal track as soon as possible."
