The ROK-U.S. Alliance in Transition and Public Opinion

Overview

The EAI Center for Public Opinion Analysis (Director: Lee Nae-young) has published the public opinion analysis report EARS Series 2, "The ROK-U.S. Alliance in Transition and Public Opinion," co-authored by Director Lee Nae-young, Senior Researcher Jeong Han-ul, and Senior Researcher Jeong Won-chil. The EARS Series consists of reports prepared by EAI's expert researchers analyzing public opinion survey results on major issues. Last year, EARS Series 1, "Assessment and Outlook of President Roh Moo-hyun's First Year in Office," was published.

This EARS Series 2, "The ROK-U.S. Alliance in Transition and Public Opinion," empirically analyzes the perceptions of the ROK-U.S. alliance held by the publics of both countries, which has become a major issue, by utilizing public opinion survey data from "Global Views 2004: A Comparative Study of Korean, U.S., and Mexican Perceptions of Foreign Policy," jointly planned by EAI, CCFR, CIDE, and COMEXI in July 2004. It also provides a balanced analysis of the impact of the alliance realignment process, symbolized by the reduction of U.S. Forces Korea, on public perception.

A comprehensive comparative analysis of the survey results from South Korea and the United States reveals that the theory of a crisis in the ROK-U.S. alliance, based on anti-American sentiment in South Korea, is largely exaggerated. The core finding of this report is that the alliance realignment process is playing a role in diversifying South Korean perceptions of the United States. This assertion challenges existing perceptions and is expected to generate considerable debate and broaden the scope of understanding.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Executive Summary

The ROK-U.S. Alliance in Transition and Public Opinion

I. Introduction: The ROK-U.S. Alliance in Transition and Public Opinion

II. South Korean Perceptions of the United States: Between Change and Polarization

III. The ROK-U.S. Alliance Crisis Theory: Its Validity and Fallacies

IV. The ROK-U.S. Alliance in Transition and Diversifying Perceptions of the United States

V. Conclusion

References

Appendix 1. Overview of Survey Methodology

Appendix 2. Survey Questionnaire and Frequency Tables

EAI will continue its efforts to deeply diagnose sharp and sensitive issues surrounding Korean society and the Korean Peninsula through public opinion surveys, and to propose desirable alternatives through the meticulous research of relevant experts. (And) The EARS Series will continue to serve as the vehicle for presenting these findings.

Authors

Lee Nae-young, Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Korea University

Jeong Han-ul, Deputy Director, EAI Center for Public Opinion Analysis

Jeong Won-chil, Senior Researcher, EAI