American Attitudes toward Korea: Growing Support for a Solid Relationship

American public opinion shows steadily growing American support for the US-Korea (ROK) alliance.

Introduction

The ratification of the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) in 2012 does not appear to have had a significant impact on American perceptions of Korea as a close trading partner of the United States.

Key Findings

American willingness to support the US troop presence in Seoul to defend against North Korean aggression has steadily grown to its highest point yet recorded in Chicago Council Surveys.

Notable gaps between American and South Korean perceptions of neighboring countries remain, which may shed light on the future limits of US-ROK alliance cooperation beyond deterrence against North Korea