The study reveals positive assessments of the development of relations between Russia and the Republic of Korea; the prospects for partner relationships are optimistic.
MOSCOW, September 4, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a study carried out in cooperation with the Institute of Russian Studies under Hankuk University of Foreign Studies; the study describes mutual perceptions of Russians and Southern Koreans.
Mass media is an important source of information about another country. Seventy-three percent of Russians (73% in 2016) and 83% Koreans (74% in 2016) cite television and Internet as the most popular media sources. Less than a quarter of Russians and Koreans get to know about the other country from personal experience; from foreign friends (6% of Russians, 3% of Koreans), family, and relatives (9% of Russians, 6% of Koreans).
Values of both Koreans and Russians are quite similar: both nations pay attention to family (37% of Russians, 76% of Koreans), caring for parents (24% of Russians, 44% of Koreans in 2017), traditions (22% of Russians, 48% of Koreans). The mutual interest of Koreans and Russians has increased over the recent year: the share of those who would like to know more about the other country has grown up both among Russians (38%, vs 30% in 2016) and among Koreans (51%, vs 36% in 2016).
Russia and South Korea are culturally attractive to each other: half of Russians (45%) and Koreans (43%) express their interest in the culture of the other nation. Russians take interest in Korean food (36%) and martial arts (24%), whereas Koreans like Russian architecture (32%) and cuisine (27%).
Russia-Korea relations have high development potential. Most of Russians (51%) as well as Koreans (64%) are confident that their countries may become partners. However over the recent year, a negative trend has been observed: the share of those who positively perceive this perspective is decreasing. But despite this, the two countries perceive each other as partners rather than competitors (49% of Russians and 38% of Koreans, respectively).
Cooperation prospects are seen from different angles. Russians think that the emphasis should be made on high technologies (32%), trade (31%), and medicine (31%). South Koreans consider that the two countries might be partners in industry and energy (58%), politics and diplomacy (33%), and military area (22%).
Both Russians and Koreans are focused on tourism; 51% of Russians would like to visit South Korea, and 66% of Koreans would go to Russia; a quarter of Russians (25%, 2017) and 16% of Koreans believe that tourism is one of the major areas of cooperation.
As a year ago, political background is seen as the main obstacle to mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries (35% of Russians and 525 of Koreans). This is followed by negative stereotypes reported by Koreans. However this factor tends to be less important (28%, 36% in 2016). Russians see remoteness as the main obstacle (19%, 16% in 2016).
Signing of a free trade agreement would help establish close economic ties between the two countries: 85% of Russians and 61% of Koreans support this idea.
Positive images of both countries would contribute to building a partnership relationship. ‘South Korea’ has positive associations related to social and economic development.
In the Korean consciousness the image of Russia is closely tied to history (Soviet Union – 10%) rather than the present times or particular characteristics or geographic situation (vodka is mentioned by 4%, Moscow by 4%).
The study was conducted by VCIOM and the Institute of Russian Studies under Hankuk University of Foreign Studies with support of the Hankook Research Company on July 22-29, 2016. The study is based on the CATI and online surveys carried out among Russians and Southern Koreans. The Russian sample involved 1,200 respondents; the Korean sample, 1,000 respondents (the sample error does not exceed 3.5%). The samples are random, stratified by sex, age, education level and type of settlement.
On what type of information sources are your perceptions of South Korea/Russia based on? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of the surveyed Russians, Koreans) | ||||
| Russians | Koreans | ||
| 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 |
TV shows and information from the Internet | 73 | 73 | 74 | 83 |
Information from newspapers and magazines | 22 | 23 | 35 | 35 |
Movies and books about South Korea/Russia | 9 | 10 | 20 | 19 |
School or university courses | 12 | 11 | 35 | 28 |
Family, relatives, friends | 4 | 9 | 3 | 6 |
Stories of Korean/Russian friends living in S.Korea/Russia | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
Impressions after my visit to S.Korea/Russia | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Other sources | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
Don’t know | 9 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
Please, choose three values most typical to …? (closed-ended question, not more than three answers, %) | ||||
| Russians | Koreans | ||
| 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 |
Family | 39 | 37 | 57 | 76 |
Caring for parents* | 0 | 24 | 0 | 44 |
Tolerance | 34 | 23 | 19 | 6 |
Tradition | 34 | 22 | 49 | 48 |
Courage | 31 | 11 | 4 | 2 |
Freedom | 25 | 12 | 17 | 18 |
Self-respect | 22 | 14 | 20 | 16 |
Openness | 21 | 18 | 3 | 2 |
Hardworking | 14 | 26 | 49 | 31 |
Sense of nation’s superiority | 13 | 8 | 15 | 9 |
Religiosity | 11 | 11 | 4 | 1 |
Entrepreneurial skills | 10 | 4 | 19 | 5 |
Respect for authorities | 6 | 8 | 27 | 9 |
Honesty | 6 | 19 | 18 | 10 |
* In 2016, this answer option was not offered
Which of the following statements best describes your level of knowledge about South Korea/Russia? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||
| Russians | Koreans | ||
2016 | 2017 | 2016 г | 2017 | |
I know a lot about South Korea/Russia | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
I do not know too much but I would like to | 30 | 38 | 36 | 51 |
I know little and I do not want to know more | 68 | 58 | 55 | 45 |
Don’t know | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 |
We treat certain nations positively (expressing liking and trust) and others negatively (expressing distrust and dislike). How do you personally perceive South Koreans/Russians? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||
| Russians | Koreans | ||
| 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 |
Positively; trust and liking | 35 | 37 | 13 | 8 |
Negatively; distrust and dislike | 6 | 6 | 15 | 18 |
Neutrally; no trust, no dislike | 54 | 49 | 60 | 60 |
Don’t know | 5 | 8 | 12 | 14 |
Generally speaking, would you say that you are interested in Russian/Korean culture? | ||
| Russians | Koreans |
Very much interested | 7 | 3 |
Somewhat interested | 38 | 40 |
Not really interested | 32 | 37 |
Not at all interested | 20 | 7 |
Don't know | 3 | 14 |
What aspect of the Korean culture/Russian culture are you most interested in? (closed-ended question, not more than 2 answers, %, 2017) | ||
| Russians | Koreans |
Korean/Russian food | 36 | 27 |
Martial arts | 24 | 10 |
Lifestyle, mentality | 23 | 19 |
Architecture | 16 | 32 |
Cinema, TV series | 7 | 3 |
Korean/Russian music | 7 | 11 |
Painting | 6 | 1 |
Cyber sport | 6 | 2 |
Fashion | 3 | 3 |
Nothing | 13 | 12 |
Other | 7 | 2 |
Don't know | 4 | 14 |
In your opinion, can Russia and South Korea become strategic partners (i.e. have arrangements to enhance long-term bilateral cooperation in key areas)? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||
| Russians | Koreans | ||
2016 | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | |
The countries are already partners | 13 | 12 | 8 | 10 |
At the moment the countries are not partners but they can become them | 53 | 51 | 69 | 64 |
No, the countries cannot be partners | 14 | 16 | 7 | 11 |
Don't know | 20 | 21 | 16 | 15 |
What kind of economic relationship is there between Russia and South Korea? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||
| Russians | Koreans | ||
| 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 |
Competitive | 20 | 19 | 27 | 24 |
Partner | 55 | 49 | 41 | 38 |
Don't know | 26 | 32 | 32 | 38 |
Could you name three main areas of the development of bilateral cooperation? (closed-ended question, not more than three answers, %) | ||||
| Russians | Koreans | ||
2016 | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | |
High technologies | 29 | 32 | 36 | 19 |
Trade | 27 | 31 | 32 | 21 |
Tourism and communication | 25 | 25 | 26 | 16 |
Medicine | 25 | 31 | 7 | 6 |
Politics and diplomacy | 20 | 19 | 31 | 33 |
Science and education | 20 | 22 | 25 | 15 |
Military and technical cooperation | 18 | 17 | 28 | 22 |
Industry and energy | 17 | 20 | 60 | 58 |
Culture | 15 | 21 | 12 | 13 |
Agriculture and food industry | 15 | 13 | 5 | 4 |
Other | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Don't know | 9 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
Have you ever visited South Korea/Russia as a tourist; if not, would you like to visit this country? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||
| Russians | Koreans | ||
2016 | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | |
I have been there and I would like to go there again | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
I have been there but I would not like to go there again | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
I have not been there but I would like to | 48 | 51 | 68 | 66 |
I have not been there and I would not like to | 49 | 46 | 21 | 29 |
Don't know | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 |
Do you support the idea to sign a free trade agreement between Russia and South Korea? (closed-ended question, % of the surveyed Russians and Koreans, 2017) | ||
| Russians | Koreans |
Completely support | 35 | 13 |
Rather support | 50 | 48 |
Rather oppose | 4 | 7 |
Completely oppose | 3 | 0 |
Don't know | 7 | 32 |
Could you name two major obstacles that hamper the development of bilateral relations between Russia and Korea? (closed-ended question, not more than two answers, %) | ||||
| Russians | Koreans | ||
| 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 |
Foreign policy problems | 31 | 35 | 57 | 52 |
Lack of information about countries | 17 | 16 | 24 | 25 |
Distance barriers | 16 | 19 | 14 | 8 |
Language barriers | 16 | 16 | 10 | 5 |
Different cultures | 12 | 17 | 18 | 13 |
Negative stereotypes | 9 | 9 | 36 | 28 |
Lack of knowledge about legislative policies of the other country | 8 | 10 | 11 | 5 |
Other | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
Don't know | 21 | 18 | 8 | 13 |
What comes first into your mind, when you hear the words “South Korea”? (open-ended question, not more than five answers, Russians, %) | ||
| 2016 | 2017 |
Industrial, technological development | 30 | 30 |
Geographical position, toponymy | 11 | 4 |
Division of Korea, civil war | 8 | 2 |
Appearance of Koreans | 5 | 5 |
Korean culture | 4 | 6 |
Trade relations with Russian Federation | 4 | 3 |
Relations with the U.S. | 3 | 3 |
Nuclear arsenal | 2 | 0 |
High living standards | 2 | 2 |
Labor culture | 2 | 1 |
Tourism | 1 | 2 |
Severe political regime | 1 | 0 |
Other | 5 | 4 |
Nothing | 11 | 6 |
Don't know | 41 | 41 |
What comes first into your mind, when you hear the word “Russia”?» (open-ended question, not more than five answers, Koreans, answers given by at least 2% of respondents) | ||
| 2016 | 2017 |
Soviet Union | 11 | 10 |
Cold | 11 | 11 |
Putin | 7 | 8 |
Communism | 6 | 7 |
Vodka | 4 | 4 |
Moscow | 3 | 4 |
Gorbachev | 3 | 2 |
Federated state | 3 | 1 |
Siberia | 2 | 3 |
Beautiful women | 2 | 2 |
Huge country | 2 | 2 |
Dictatorship | 2 | 2 |
Ballet | 2 | 1 |
Military/Arms | 2 | 1 |
Kremlin | 2 | 1 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.