According to a recent survey released by the U.S.-based polling organization Pew Research Center, negative public sentiment toward the United States among South Koreans has surpassed the 50% threshold for the first time since the organization began tracking these figures. Conducted between March 3 and April 4 among 1,045 South Korean adults as part of the 2026 Global Attitudes Survey, the poll revealed that 55% of respondents hold an "unfavorable" view of the U.S., marking a sharp 16 percentage point increase from 39% the previous year. Conversely, those expressing a "favorable" view dropped by 16 percentage points to 45%.
This shift marks a historical milestone in bilateral perception. It is the first time since Pew Research initiated its surveys in 2002 that unfavorable ratings have outweighed favorable ones, echoing a similar sentiment peak last seen in 2003 following the tragic deaths of two middle school girls struck by a U.S. military armored vehicle. Furthermore, the intensity of these negative perceptions has intensified, with the proportion of respondents reporting a "very unfavorable" view doubling from 9% last year to 18%.
The decline in overall favorability is accompanied by a noticeable drop in bilateral trust and confidence in U.S. leadership. Only 57% of South Koreans now view the U.S. as a "trusted partner," reflecting a significant 26 percentage point plummet from 83% in 2022. Evaluations regarding Washington's broader global contributions have also suffered; the share of citizens believing that the U.S. significantly contributes to world peace and stability fell to 47%, down from 74% in 2023.
Additional context from internet data highlights that economic and foreign policies under U.S. President Donald Trump have heavily influenced these numbers. Public disapproval of President Trump's handling of international trade and regional diplomacy is pronounced, with 85% opposing his tariff policies—63% of whom expressed strong opposition—and 73% expressing dissatisfaction with his administration's approach to Iran.
Despite growing public discontent and dipping trust levels, South Korea's strategic reliance on the security alliance remains remarkably resilient. Even with the drop in soft favorability, 84% of South Korean respondents still named the United States as their country's "most important ally". Although down 5 percentage points from the prior year, this figure underscores a pragmatic separation among the South Korean public between diplomatic necessity and immediate policy dissatisfaction, preserving the bedrock of the bilateral partnership amidst shifting geopolitical currents.
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