[EAI Working Paper] South Koreans' External Identity: Perceptions of Globalization, Major Powers, and Policy Issues

Editor's Note

Over the past 15 years (2005-2020), the East Asia Institute (EAI) has examined the evolving values and identity of South Koreans through its surveys on "Korean Identity." This working paper, the third report in the first series of working papers based on the 2020 survey results, titled "History, Nation, State, and the World as Seen by Koreans," was primarily authored by EAI Senior Fellow Lee Sook-Jong (Professor at Sungkyunkwan University). This paper analyzes changes in South Koreans' perceptions of globalization, threats to national interest, and major powers including the United States and China. The analysis reveals that while South Koreans support open trade and the decisions of international organizations, they are defensive regarding foreign naturalization and foreign aid, exhibiting mixed positive and negative perceptions of globalization. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic crisis has heightened awareness of globalization's downsides, such as the spread of diseases. Regarding perceptions of major powers, favorability scores for the U.S., Japan, and China (excluding North Korea) have declined since 2015, with perceptions of China shifting to unfavorable in the last five years. South Koreans increasingly favor strengthening ties with the U.S. over China and emphasize the importance of a balanced role for the ROK-U.S. alliance amidst U.S.-China conflict. These findings suggest policy challenges and approaches for South Korea to adopt as a middle power in an era of rising nationalism and protectionism, advocating for international cooperation and governance.

※ The following is the introduction to this working paper. Please refer to the attached file above for the full text.

I. Introduction

Despite a long history and pride as a ethnically homogeneous nation, Korea's modern history has left legacies of colonial rule, the Korean War, and division, marked by violence and pain. However, within approximately 40 years after liberation, Korea achieved both rapid industrialization and gradual democratization, emerging as a model for many developing countries aspiring to achieve the dual national goals of economic development and democratization. In terms of national power—including population size, economic strength, military capability, cultural influence, and diplomatic capacity—Korea has risen to become a major middle power among developed nations, and the international community recognizes this, with Korea representing Asia as a member of the G20. Equally important as the international environment are relations with major powers. While Korea has maintained peace and security through its alliance with the United States, it has also deepened close economic ties and political cooperation with China. However, as the strategic competition between the U.S. and China intensifies, Korea faces pressure and dilemmas to choose sides. Meanwhile, relations with neighboring Japan have continuously deteriorated over several years, leading to a decline in the spirit of friendly cooperation. This paper examines how the world as perceived by Koreans has changed over the past 15 years, based on the East Asia Institute's surveys on Korean identity, focusing on three aspects: perceptions of globalization and the international community, assessments of factors threatening national interest, and perceptions of the three major powers—the United States, China, and Japan.

■ Author: Lee Sook-Jong_ Senior Fellow and Director, East Asia Institute (EAI); Professor, Sungkyunkwan University. Dr. Lee holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Harvard University. She has served as a Research Fellow at the Sejong Institute, a Visiting Scholar at the Brookings Institution, a Lecturer at Johns Hopkins University, President of the Association for Contemporary Japanese Studies, a member of the Foreign Affairs Ministry's Policy Advisory Committee, and Director of EAI. Her recent edited volumes include Transforming Global Governance with Middle Power Diplomacy: South Korea’s Role in the 21st Century (ed.), Public Diplomacy and Soft Power in East Asia (co-ed.), The Second Era of Globalization: Korean-Style Globalization and New Visions (co-ed.), and Conditions for Presidential Success in 2017 (co-ed.).

■ Co-author: Kim Seyoung_ Research Fellow, East Asia Institute (EAI). Mr. Kim holds a Master's degree in Asian Studies from Georgetown University. His recent publication includes "New North-Southeast Asia Security Links: Defending, Recentring, and Extending Regional Order" (2019, Australian Journal of Politics and History).

■ Contact and Editing: Kim Seyoung_ Research Fellow, East Asia Institute (EAI)

Inquiries: +82 2 2277 1683 (ext. 208) sykim@eai.or.kr

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