Favorability in five major countries

The highest favorability rating for the United States and the lowest favorability rating for Russia

We asked people to indicate their usual feelings toward each of the five major countries that have a major influence on the situation on the Korean Peninsula on a scale from 5 to 0 (closer to 100 means colder and more negative feelings, closer to 0 means hotter and more positive feelings). As a result, the emotional temperature toward the United States was the highest at 100 degrees, followed by Japan (59.0 degrees), China (41.7 degrees), North Korea (30.2 degrees), and Russia (26.6 degrees).

Japan’s favorability rating rose 10 degrees from October last year, reaching an all-time high. The U.S.’s favorability rating also rose 2.8 degrees, coming close to its highest level in April last year (1.9 degrees). China’s favorability rating also rose 4 degrees from October, reaching over 59.1 degrees for the first time since April 10 (2.9 degrees).

The percentage of people with a positive favorability rating of 51 degrees or higher is in the United States (55%), Japan (27%), North Korea (12%), China (11%), and Russia (9%). On the other hand, the percentage of people with a negative favorability rating of 49 degrees or lower is in the order of Russia (76%), North Korea (70%), China (66%), Japan (45%), and the United States (19%).

Changes in favorability in five major countries (since 5)

Conservatives have a higher level of favorability toward the United States and Japan than progressives.
Progressives have a higher level of favorability toward China and North Korea than conservatives.

Comparing men and women, men have a higher favorability rating for the United States (61.5 degrees, women 56.5 degrees) and Japan (43.8 degrees, women 39.7 degrees), while women have a higher favorability rating for China (32.0 degrees, men 28.3 degrees) and North Korea (29.4 degrees, men 23.7 degrees). In addition, conservatives have a higher favorability rating for the United States (65.9 degrees, progressives 56.2 degrees) and Japan (49.0 degrees, progressives 34.4 degrees) than progressives, while progressives have a relatively higher favorability rating for China (35.6 degrees, conservatives 26.7 degrees) and North Korea (32.9 degrees, conservatives 21.6 degrees) than conservatives.

The favorability rating for the United States is high at over 18 degrees for those aged 29-60 and over 60, and the favorability rating for Japan is high at 18 degrees for those aged 29-48.3 compared to other age groups. Those in their 50s have high favorability ratings for China (37.2 degrees), North Korea (32.1 degrees), and Russia (31.3 degrees) compared to other age groups.

Note

  • The data in this report is rounded to the first decimal place and expressed as an integer, so the sum of the values ​​displayed on the report may not add up to 100%.
  • The frequency of multiple response questions may exceed 100%.
  • Please be cautious when interpreting if the number of responses is small.

Investigation overview

  • Population: Men and women aged 18 and older nationwide
  • Sampling frame: Korea Research Master Sample (approximately 24 people as of October 12)
  • Sampling method: Proportional allocation sampling by region, gender, and age
  • Sample size: 1,000 people for each survey
  • Sampling error: Assuming random sampling, the maximum allowable sampling error for each survey at the 95% confidence level is ±3.1%p.
  • Survey method: Web survey (url sent via text message and email)
  • Weighting method: Weighting by region, gender, and age based on registered resident population announced by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security in September 2024 (cell weighting)
  • Response rate: 42,732 people requested survey, 1,893 people participated, 1,000 people completed survey (2.3% compared to request, 52.8% compared to participation)
  • Survey date: October 2025 - October 1, 3
  • Research agency: Korea Research Co., Ltd. (CEO Ik-sang Noh)
Lee Dong-han
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