Criticism is mounting over South Korean President Moon Jae-in's focus on North Korea, as his approval ratings tumbled over his inability to invigorate the economy and create jobs for young people.

Even as he called on Parliament yesterday to approve a record-high budget of 470.5 trillion won (S$575 billion) next year, which includes the highest-ever job creation budget of 23.5 trillion won, sceptics remain unconvinced that the extra spending will make up for what is deemed a policy failure.