战略与国际研究中心-Report-on-US-Attitudes-Toward-the-Republic-of-Korea_12页_220kb

Summary of the Report on U.S. Attitudes toward the Republic of Korea

Core Content

This report, published by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs in September 2010, analyzes U.S. public opinion on the relationship with the Republic of Korea (ROK). It is based on data from the 2010 Global Views survey, which explored Americans' views on U.S. foreign policy, including their stance on the U.S.-ROK alliance, military presence, the North Korea nuclear issue, and the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). The findings highlight both the strengths and the evolving nature of the U.S.-ROK relationship, particularly in the context of regional security and economic cooperation.

Main Points and Key Findings

• U.S.-ROK Alliance:

  • The alliance is seen as important beyond its original purpose of deterring North Korean aggression.
  • 80% of respondents believe the U.S. should maintain the alliance with South Korea even after unification.
  • 43% support keeping U.S. ground troops in Korea to counterbalance China’s growing influence.
  • 14% advocate ending the alliance and removing troops.
  • The U.S. military presence is viewed as a strategic hedge against China, with a majority supporting the alliance and troop retention.

• Military Presence in South Korea:

  • 62% of respondents support long-term U.S. military bases in South Korea, the highest among all countries surveyed.
  • 50% think the current number of U.S. troops (about 30,000) is “about right.”
  • The public is more supportive of U.S. military presence in the context of multilateral efforts, as opposed to unilateral action.
  • 79% believe the U.S. is overplaying the role of world policeman, and 71% prefer U.S. cooperation with other countries on international issues.

• North Korea Nuclear Issue:

  • 50% of respondents support negotiations to end North Korea’s nuclear program, even if it means accepting the regime and the division of the Peninsula.
  • 19% and 18% support regime change and maintaining stability, respectively.
  • 62% believe U.S. leaders should be ready to meet and talk with North Korean leaders.
  • The public views negotiation as a reasonable approach, though there is a notable portion that supports regime change and stability at all costs.

• North-South Conflict:

  • 56% oppose the use of U.S. troops unilaterally to defend South Korea in the event of a North Korean attack.
  • 61% support U.S. participation in a UN-sponsored multilateral effort to reverse aggression.
  • The Cheonan incident is viewed by most as a regional conflict, not an act of unprovoked aggression, suggesting a preference for a measured U.S. response.

• Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA):

  • 44% of respondents support Senate approval of the KORUS FTA.
  • This support is lukewarm and consistent with general U.S. attitudes toward free trade agreements.
  • Support correlates with perceptions of fair trade practices; 61% of those who view South Korea as practicing fair trade support the agreement, compared to 27% who do not.
  • The U.S. public is unaware of the significance of U.S.-South Korea trade ties, which may affect support for the FTA.

• General U.S. Awareness of South Korea:

  • 40% of respondents do not view South Korea as a democracy, despite its status as a successful liberal democracy.
  • 50% incorrectly believe the majority of South Koreans are Buddhist, while the actual percentage is 26.3%.
  • 71% do not realize that South Korea is among the top ten U.S. trading partners, specifically the seventh-largest.
  • This lack of awareness can be a vulnerability for policymakers, especially when seeking public support for initiatives like the KORUS FTA or increased military presence.

Policy Implications

• The U.S.-ROK alliance is strong and valued by the American public, especially in the context of counterbalancing China’s rise.
• Policymakers should consider multilateral approaches to regional security, as the public is more supportive of such efforts than unilateral ones.
• The KORUS FTA requires public education to highlight economic benefits and the importance of South Korea as a trade partner.
• Raising awareness and understanding of South Korea among the U.S. public could help solidify support for the alliance and economic cooperation.
• Cultural, educational, and exchange programs, as well as media and art initiatives, may be effective in improving public knowledge and perception of South Korea.

Methodology

• The survey was conducted between June 11 and June 22, 2010, by Knowledge Networks (KN).
• It included 4,135 respondents, with 2,717 completing the survey.
• The final sample size, after demographic weighting, was 2,596.
• The margin of error for the national survey is ±1.9 percentage points, and for questions asked to smaller samples, it ranges from ±2.72 to ±3.33 percentage points.

Conclusion

The report underscores that while the U.S. public supports the alliance with South Korea, their awareness of Korea’s political and economic role is limited. This suggests that public education and engagement are crucial to strengthening the alliance and promoting economic cooperation. The findings also indicate a shift in public perception, with China emerging as a more significant concern than previously thought, influencing views on the alliance and military presence.