[Public Opinion Brief 37-3] Korea's Sense of Responsibility for Global Hunger is Growing. However, it May Weaken if Income Deteriorates.

[Public Opinion Brief 37] Developed Countries' Responsibility for Global Hunger

[Topic 1] Global Citizens: "Developed Countries Should Address Global Hunger"

[Topic 2] 77% of Citizens in Developed Countries: "Willing to Pay Additional Costs to Eradicate Global Poverty"

[Topic 3] Korea's Sense of Responsibility for Global Hunger is Growing. However, it May Weaken if Income Deteriorates.

Korea's Sense of Responsibility for Global Hunger is Growing. However, it May Weaken if Income Deteriorates.

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Since joining the OECD during the Kim Young-sam administration, Korea has steadily increased its international responsibilities. Recently, having produced Ban Ki-moon as the former UN Secretary-General, Korea has demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility for addressing global hunger. The consensus that developed countries should take responsibility for solving the hunger problem was high at 90%, ranking third highest after Kenya and Taiwan, alongside Mexico. A response indicating willingness to pay 24,000 KRW per person annually to secure the funds needed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals also reached 80%, the third highest rate after France (86%) and Italy (84%).

However, it is presumed that the recent global economic recession and turmoil, which have led to a deterioration in Korea's economy and citizens' income levels, will significantly impact the sense of responsibility for addressing international hunger. The survey conducted in August clearly revealed disparities in perceptions based on income and education levels. Among households with a monthly income of 4 million KRW or more, 88.5% expressed willingness to contribute to the OECD, while this figure decreased to 79.1% for those earning between 2 and 3.99 million KRW. Notably, for low-income households earning less than 2 million KRW, the rate dropped to 71.8%. Similarly, regarding educational background, 85% of respondents with a university degree or higher expressed a willingness to contribute, compared to 73.5% for high school graduates and 66.7% for middle school graduates. While the willingness to share the costs for hunger alleviation is generally high, it weakens as income and education levels decrease. This suggests that a worsening Korean economic situation and personal income levels could weaken Koreans' sense of international responsibility for addressing global hunger.

Due to the sharp global economic downturn and its impact, governments and citizens worldwide are calculating the potential effects on their national and personal economies. If this situation spreads internationally, the efforts made by the UN and the international community to resolve hunger and poverty may falter, and the consensus that has been building on these issues could weaken. This would impose a double burden of despair, in addition to the suffering of hunger and poverty, on those in absolute poverty and starvation who have no one else to rely on but international aid. It cannot be overstated that now, more than ever, the international community's willingness to share the burden and the sense of responsibility among developed nations are desperately needed.

[Figure 1] OECD Contribution (24,000 KRW Annually): "Willing to Contribute" (%)

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