A new poll showing the People Power Party's (PPP) approval rating plunging to 17 percent has intensified concerns that leader Jang Dong-hyeok’s leadership is entering a critical phase ahead of the June 3 local elections. The nationwide survey released Thursday marked the party’s lowest level since Jang took office and widened the gap with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) to 28 percentage points. In Seoul, the party recorded 19 percent support, followed by 16 percent in Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, 15 percent in Daejeon, Sejong and Chungcheong, and 12 percent in Gangwon and Jeju. Even in Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province, traditional conservative strongholds, it trailed the DPK by double digits. The result that most alarmed party officials was Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, long considered the conservative base, where the two parties were tied at 28 percent. It marked the first time the PPP’s rating fell below 20 percent since August last year. Party lawmakers and analysts attribute the slump to mounting internal divisions and controversy over Jang’s sta