Park's Approval Rating Recovers After Xi Visit

President Park Geun-hye's approval rating has been given a much needed shot in the arm by Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Seoul.

According to a new survey by local polling company Realmeter, the president's approval rate jumped three percentage points to 46 percent this week, marking its first up-tick in four weeks.

Park's polling numbers had been on a steady decline over the past three weeks, largely due to controversy over two failed prime minister nominations.

The shift in sentiment could play into the ruling Saenuri Party's hands in the run-up to crucial by-elections at the end of this month, where at least 15 parliamentary seats will be up for grabs.