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| / Graphic by Cho Sang-won |
By Jung Min-ho
Six out of 10 South Koreans have a positive opinion of the United States, far more than for four other neighboring countries ― China, Russia, Japan and North Korea ― according to a recent survey.
The poll by Hankook Research showed that 10.8 percent of respondents said they had a very positive opinion of the United States, while 48.4 percent said they had a positive view. Only 6.2 percent said they did not have a positive opinion.
Asked about Russia and China ― countries that helped North Korea in the 1950-53 Korean War against the South ― 27 percent said they have either a very positive or a positive opinion.
Notably, most South Koreans had a negative opinion of Japan. Only 23.6 percent said they have either a very positive or a positive view of Japan, which, along with South Korea, among the most important military allies of the United States in Asia.
Asked about North Korea, which is technically still at war with the South, only 11.4 percent said they have a positive view of the country.
The survey also showed that old and conservative people tend to like the United States more than young and liberal people.
Among people in their 60s or older, 68.8 percent said they have a positive opinion of the United States. Most notably, those in their 40s think of the country least positively.
Among people who identified themselves as politically conservative, 70.4 percent said they have a positive view of the United States, while just 46.2 percent said so among those who viewed themselves as liberals.
