**South Korean Public Opinion of the United States Dips to a Majority Unfavorable, Pew Research Finds**
*Seoul, Aug. 29, 2026* — A Pew Research Center survey of 1,045 South Korean adults conducted between March 3 and April 4 shows that 55 percent now hold an unfavorable view of the United States, while 45 percent express a favorable view. This marks the first time a majority of South Koreans have expressed an unfavorable opinion of the United States since 2002.
The shift represents a 16‑percentage‑point swing from the previous year, when 61 percent of respondents reported a favorable view and 39 percent an unfavorable one. The survey also found that confidence in the United States as a reliable partner has fallen sharply, with only 57 percent saying the U.S. can be trusted, down from 83 percent in 2022.
**Key findings**
* **Tariff policy:** 85 percent of respondents expressed a negative view of the tariff measures introduced under the Trump administration, and 63 percent strongly disapproved. The United States is currently pursuing a 15 percent tariff on South Korean goods, reduced from an initial 25 percent levy that was linked to a $350 billion investment pledge from Seoul.
* **Defense and security:** The survey was completed before recent discussions about scaling back joint U.S.–South Korean military exercises. Nonetheless, respondents noted concerns about U.S. pressure for higher defense‑cost sharing.
* **Alliance perception:** Despite the decline in overall favorability, 84 percent still identified the United States as South Korea’s most important ally, a modest drop from 89 percent a year earlier.
**Expert commentary**
Andrew Yeo, senior fellow and SK‑Korea Foundation Chair at the Brookings Institution’s Center for Asia Policy Studies, said the results reflect “an erosion of confidence in Washington’s reliability rather than a fundamental shift in attitudes toward the alliance.” He added that “the sharp decline is driven by a steady drip of issues ranging from tariffs to scaled‑back joint military exercises that reflect President Trump’s more transactional approach toward allies.”
Ahn Byong‑jin, professor at the Global Academy for Future Civilizations, Kyung Hee University, offered a more pessimistic outlook. He warned that “negative sentiment is likely to persist as Washington increases economic and security pressure on Seoul,” and suggested the trend could continue through 2030, citing ongoing disputes over tariffs, regulatory matters involving Korean firms such as Coupang, and demands for a larger share of costs for U.S. Forces Korea.
Kim Dong‑suk, executive committee chair of the Korean American Grassroots Conference, linked the shift to broader global perceptions of the United States, stating, “Which country actually favors the U.S. these days? When you look at trade and foreign relations, Washington puts everyone else at a disadvantage. It’s only natural that international opinion has turned negative.”
**Public perspectives**
Some respondents cited domestic changes in the United States as influencing their views. Lee, a 32‑year‑old office worker in Seoul, said, “A country built sequentially on the labor of immigrants… is now pushing aggressive anti‑immigration laws,” adding that she has seen U.S.-educated friends return to Korea after failing to secure work visas.
Other South Koreans distinguished their opinion of the United States from specific policies. Jeon, a 39‑year‑old office worker, remarked, “I don’t buy into the growing anti‑U.S. sentiment — I still view the U.S. favorably. While many have turned against the U.S. due to President Trump’s policies
Article and image source: koreatimes.co.kr
