Two out of Three Koreans Say "No Economic Power Korea Without the Korea-US Alliance"

64.6% Respondents Say Economic Powerhouse Impossible Without Hanmi Alliance64.6% Respondents Say Economic Powerhouse Impossible Without Hanmi Alliance>

Two out of three Koreans perceive the South Korea-U.S. alliance as the foundation for the development of the Korean economy.

On the afternoon of October 25 last year, soldiers holding the Taegeukgi and the Stars and Stripes entered at the 22-2 Korea-US Alliance Peace Conference held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 16th, the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) announced the results of a nationwide public perception survey commemorating the 70th anniversary of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, conducted by Mono Research with 1,004 adult men and women nationwide.

When asked whether the current economic powerhouse Korea would have been possible without the South Korea-U.S. alliance 70 years ago, two out of three people (64.6%) answered "impossible."

The reasons given were "U.S. security support is essential (52.3%)," "U.S. aid and economic support are essential (32.6%)," and "Access to the large U.S. market and cooperation with U.S. companies are essential (15.1%)," in that order.

It was found that the public perceives the South Korea-U.S. alliance as having greatly contributed not only to security but also to economic development. Only 12% of the public believed that Korea could have grown into an economic powerhouse without the alliance.

The country identified as the top priority for cooperation was the United States. The first-choice vote rate was highest for the U.S. (89%), and the second-choice vote rate was highest for China (35.2%). Following China in the second-choice votes were Japan (23.4%) and the European Union (EU, 17.5%).

Regarding the contribution of the South Korea-U.S. alliance by sector (on a 10-point scale), the scores were national security (7.3 points), economic growth (7.2 points), scientific and technological development (7 points), and national credit (6.8 points), in that order.

In response to a question about the future of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, 94.6% of respondents said it should be "strengthened or maintained."

Regarding the reasons for maintaining and strengthening the alliance, respondents answered "Ensuring national safety through strengthening defense capabilities (34.2%)" and "Enhancing geopolitical stability surrounding the Korean Peninsula (33%)" in that order.

Kim Bong-man, head of the International Division at FKI, said, "This is the result of the public recognizing the importance of the U.S. in Korea's growth in various ways," adding, "In the future, South Korea-U.S. relations will enter a new phase through cooperation within the international community."