Friday, June 13, 2008

Polarity over the U.S.

The Pew Research center, a well-known U.S. survey institute, announced an interesting report this week. This report is about the latest U.S. image viewed by outside of the U.S. based on the survey of more than 24,000 people in 24 countries, conducted March 17 to April 21. This report comprehensively covers other relevant issues such as U.S. comparitive influence vis-à-vis China and favorability of next presidency in U.S.
Particularly, South Korea's favorability toward the U.S. draw my attention in comparison with those of other countries. Surprisingly, South Korea ranks No.1 on this subject.
According to the report, positive views of the U.S. have risen sharply in Tanzania (by 19 points) and South Korea (12 points), and by smaller but significant margins in Indonesia, China, India and Poland. Overall, opinions of the United States are most positive in South Korea, Poland, India and in the three African countries surveyed this year - Tanzania, Nigeria and South Africa.
Here is the report. Click ☆Here☆




What does this outcome tell us?

Well, for the past decade, it is undeniably true that anti-Americanism has rapidly spread into South Korea. That is attributable to several tragic incidents, and the past liberalistic administrations, along with global anti-Americanism. However, I can fully agree with neither S.Korea is too pro-American nor too anti-American. A number of South Koreans still prefer to have U.S. brand products and yearns to study in States. Although this dose not necessarily represent Korea as a whole, this demonstrates us a clear message that democratic S.Korea is fiercely mobilized by these two extremes over the U.S.;
Liberalistic Self-reliance vs. Conservative strategic Alliance.
This severe polarity sickens S.Korean society as one side tries to prevail the other. South Korea is required to find grounds for constructive moderatism.

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