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Korea’s view of US third most favorable in world: Pew Research Center

June 26, 2015
(Park Sang-hyuk)

In the 1999 to 2000 poll, 58 percent of Koreans saw America favorably. In 2003, it was down to 46 percent, but by 2010 had risen to 79 percent. (Korea Times file)

By Tae Hong

South Koreans’ view of America is among the most favorable in the world, according to new data released by Pew Research Center Wednesday.

According to the center’s “America’s Global Image,” which used data collected as of spring this year, 84 percent of South Koreans said they viewed the U.S. in favorable terms, ranking third among 39 countries beneath the Philippines (92 percent favorable) and Ghana (89 percent.)

In the 1999 to 2000 poll, 58 percent of Koreans saw America favorably. In 2003, it was down to 46 percent, but by 2010 had risen to 79 percent.

In comparison, 68 percent of Canadians saw the U.S. in a favorable light. Italy was at 83 percent; France, 73; the U.K., 65; Israel, 81; Japan, 68; China, 44; India, 70; Mexico, 66; Russia, 15; and Jordan, with the lowest favorable views, at 14 percent.

The center found that, on average from 40 countries, 69 percent viewed the U.S. favorably. Sixty-five percent, on average, had confidence in President Obama. Thirty-five percent said the U.S. government’s use of torture after 9/11 was justified.

One Comment

  1. Pat

    June 28, 2015 at 8:23 PM

    Judging by Korean TV dramas I’m not sure those numbers would hold up. It’s rare that they ever show a positive picture of American characters in their dramas. Exclusions are when the characters are Korean-Americans, then they will depict them more favorably.

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