S Korean Park's approval rating tops 50 pct after joining China's war anniversary

South Korean President Park Geun-hye arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, China, September 2, 2015, ahead of attending the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two. [Photo/Agencies]

SEOUL -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye's approval rating topped 50 percent for the first time in about 10 months after participating in the celebrations in Beijing to mark the 70th anniversary of China's victory over Japan in World War II.

A survey by local pollster Realmeter showed on Monday that Park's support rate was 50.4 percent last week when Park made a three- day visit to China. It was based on a poll of 2,500 adults between Aug. 31 and Sept. 4.

The weekly support rate has been on the rise for five straight weeks, breaching the 50-percent level last week first time since the third week of November last year.

The daily approval rating surged to 53.8 percent for two days from Sept. 3 when Park attended a military parade in Beijing to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

It reflected South Korean people's support for Park's push to upgrade diplomatic relations with neighboring China, South Korea's largest trading partner.