President Yoon Suk Yeol declares emergency martial law during a press briefing at the presidential office in Seoul, Dec. 3. Yonhap

More than 70 percent of Koreans disapprove of President Yoon Suk Yeol's leadership, with his botched imposition of martial law emerging as a key factor behind the dissatisfaction, according to a poll by The Korea Times.

The survey showed that 72 percent of the 1,000 respondents disapprove of Yoon's performance in office, while 24 percent expressed a positive view of his performance. Notably, 60 percent said they "strongly disapprove" of his job performance.

The findings show a rise in disapproval compared to a similar poll conducted in March, where 61 percent of 1,002 respondents expressed dissatisfaction with Yoon's handling of his job.

Disapproval of Yoon's leadership varied across age groups.

Those aged 40 to 49 were the most dissatisfied with Yoon's leadership, with 90 percent expressing disapproval, followed by respondents aged 18 to 29 at 84 percent, 30 to 39 at 81 percent and 50 to 59 at 75 percent.

Older age groups showed comparatively lower disapproval rates, with 55 percent of those aged 60 to 69 disapproving of Yoon's performance and just 47 percent of respondents aged 70 and older expressing dissatisfaction.

Among those who disapprove of Yoon's leadership, 56 percent cited his mishandling of the short-lived martial law on Dec. 3 as the primary reason.

Scandals involving individuals close to Yoon followed at 10 percent, while 9 percent cited his failure to stabilize the economy, control prices and improve people's livelihoods.

The Korea Times poll also highlighted shifts in political party support, with 39 percent of respondents backing the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), compared to 25 percent for the ruling People Power Party (PPP).

This marks a reversal from a survey in March conducted before the April 10 general elections, where the PPP led with 37 percent, narrowly edging out the DPK at 35 percent. The latest poll shows a decline in support for the ruling party, while the DPK has gained momentum.

Approval ratings for minor parties remained at relatively low levels. Support for the Rebuilding Korea Party, founded by Cho Kuk, a former justice minister under the previous liberal Moon Jae-in administration, stood at 8 percent, followed by the Reform Party, led by former PPP chief Lee Jun-seok, with 3 percent, and the Progressive Party at 1 percent.

Meanwhile, 21 percent of respondents expressed disapproval of all political parties.

The Korea Times commissioned the survey to gauge public sentiment. Hankook Research surveyed 1,000 adults in phone interviews on Thursday and Friday.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, with a credibility rate of 95 percent. Further details are available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission's website.