2012 Chicago Council Survey data shows American perceptions of South Korea are strongly positive. As Americans shift their priority to Asia, South Korea is poised to continue as an important security and economic partner of the US.
Introduction
The 2012 Chicago Council Survey provides an opportunity to understand the American public’s views on America’s role in the world as well as American responses both to developments in the US-South Korea relationship and to South Korean efforts to enhance its own standing in the international community. The survey results provide a snapshot of the state of the relationship. When paired with data from previous years regarding Korea-related issues, the survey also provides a measure of the direction and value that Americans place on the relationship with South Korea as American recognition of the importance of Asia to US interests grows.
Key Findings
- The 2012 Chicago Council Survey results suggest continued American commitment to defend South Korea against aggression from North Korea and a growing appreciation of South Korea as a country that shares American values.
- Americans view South Korea as an important partner in promoting Asian stability and prosperity and support a US military presence there as a necessary instrument for achieving those objectives as a deterrent against North Korean aggression and as a guarantor of regional stability. But Americans remain skeptical of unilateral strategies toward either North Korea or China that involve the use of military instruments for coercion or containment.
- The level and breadth of US-ROK partnership beyond the peninsula, including opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation and the convergence of US and South Korean interests in maintaining international stability and prosperity, remain relatively underappreciated.
