A recent public opinion survey by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies offers a revealing snapshot of Korean perceptions of foreign relations, with particularly notable shifts in attitudes toward Japan and the United States.
The most striking finding is the improvement in Korean views of Japan. For the first time in the survey’s 16-year history, Japan received a net positive rating by scoring 5.11 out of 10. Even more remarkably, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae emerged as the most popular foreign leader among Koreans, an unprecedented result. For observers who have long advocated better Korea-Japan relations, the outcome is both welcome and surprising.
Three main factors appear to explain this shift. First is the structural impact of China’s coercive behaviour. Survey results suggest that Koreans and Japanese share similar perceptions of China’s assertiveness, which has helped align public opinion in both countries. Second is Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” strategy. Initially introduced a decade ago without much consideration for Korea, the policy has evolved to recognise that a favourable balance of power in Asia is difficult to achieve without improved relations with Korea. Third is the unusual political dynamic between the two countries’ leaders. A conservative Japanese prime minister and a progressive Korean president have managed to foster cooperation, demonstrating the ability to advance bilateral ties without being constrained by domestic political opposition.
Another key takeaway from the survey is the resilience of the Korea-US alliance despite the unpredictable and often divisive leadership style of US President Donald Trump. While Trump’s personal favourability rating among Koreans has fallen to 2.91 out of 10, barely above Chinese President Xi Jinping’s 2.29, overall attitudes toward the United States remain positive at 5.9. When asked to choose a preferred partner, 71.4% of respondents selected the United States, compared to just 10.8% for China.
On one hand, there are growing doubts about US leadership and its role in managing the global order. On the other hand, there is a heightened recognition of the United States’ indispensable role as a security guarantor.
These figures suggest that Koreans distinguish between Trump as an individual and the broader relationship with the United States. This distinction is also reflected in economic perceptions: 74.7% of respondents identified the United States as Korea’s most important economic partner, compared to 19.7% for China, a reversal from a decade ago.
Support for the Korea-US alliance is particularly striking. According to the survey, 97.1% of Koreans consider the alliance important. Given the typical margin of error in large-scale surveys, this level of support approaches near unanimity. Although recognising the importance of an alliance does not necessarily equate to enthusiasm for all its aspects, the result marks a dramatic shift from the early 2000s. At that time, surveys indicated that only about 20% of Koreans supported strengthening the alliance, while more than half favoured a more neutral stance between the United States and China.
At the same time, the survey highlights areas that warrant caution. Support for the continued presence of US Forces Korea reached a record high of 82%, reflecting heightened security concerns. However, when respondents were asked about the presence of US forces after Korean unification, support dropped to 47.8%, down 14 percentage points from previous surveys.
There are also signs of uncertainty regarding the long-term reliability of the United States. The proportion of respondents who said they would choose the United States over China declined from 86% last year to 72% this year, even though China’s share did not increase. Paradoxically, expectations for improved Korea-US relations rose from 47.3% in 2025 to 55.3% this year. Confidence that the United States would use nuclear weapons to defend Korea also increased to 59.1%, the highest level since 2022.
These seemingly contradictory results point to a complex perception of the United States under Trump. On one hand, there are growing doubts about US leadership and its role in managing the global order. On the other hand, there is a heightened recognition of the United States’ indispensable role as a security guarantor.
It is important to note that the survey was conducted before the outbreak of the Iran war. The conflict could influence perceptions of US leadership, particularly regarding decision-making, treatment of allies and the military’s ability to sustain operations across multiple theatres. At the same time, the war could reinforce an image of US decisiveness and operational strength, which may resonate positively in a country that relies heavily on U.S military power for its security.
With these dynamics in mind, the next iteration of the Asan survey will be closely watched for further insights into how Koreans view their place in an increasingly uncertain global landscape.