October 03, 2004

Abstract: (CPOD) Oct. 3, 2004 - Most South Koreans and Americans are worried over the possibility of an attack, according to the Global Views 2004: Comparing South Korean and American Public Opinion and Foreign Policy report released by the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations. 61 per cent of respondents in South Korea—and 75 per cent of respondents in the United States—believe international terrorism is a

(CPOD) Oct. 3, 2004 - Most South Koreans and Americans are worried over the possibility of an attack, according to the Global Views 2004: Comparing South Korean and American Public Opinion and Foreign Policy report released by the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations. 61 per cent of respondents in South Korea—and 75 per cent of respondents in the United States—believe international terrorism is a critical threat to their countries.

In South Korea, at least half of all respondents were concerned over North Korea becoming a nuclear power, epidemics such as AIDS and the Ebola virus, and American unilateralism. In the United States, chemical and biological weapons, and unfriendly countries becoming nuclear were perceived as the main threats.

Polling Data

I am going to read you a list of possible threats to some important interests of (South Korea / the United States) in the next 10 years.

(Percentage who view each of the following as "critical threats" to their country's vital interests)

South Korea		United States
International Terrorism	61%	International Terrorism	75%
North Korea becoming a nuclear power	59%	Chemical and biological weapons	66%
AIDS, the Ebola virus, and other potential epidemics	51%	Unfriendly countries becoming nuclear powers	64%
U.S. unilateralism	50%	AIDS, the Ebola virus, and other potential epidemics	58%
Global warming	48%	Large number of immigrants and refugees coming into U.S.	52%
The rise of Japanese military power	47%	Military conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbours	39%
Development of China as a world power	46%	Islamic fundamentalism	38%
Economic competition from low-wage countries	29%	Global warming	37%
Sino-Japanese rivalry	23%	Economic competition from low-wage countries	35%
World population growth	22%	The development of China as a world power	33%
Large numbers of illegal foreign workers	21%	World population growth	30%
Tensions between China and Taiwan	16%	Tensions between India and Pakistan	18%
		Economic competition from Europe	14%

UNITED STATES
Source: Knowledge Networks / The Chicago Council on Foreign Relations
Methodology: Online interviews to 1,195 American adults, conducted from Jul. 6 to Jul. 12, 2004. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

SOUTH KOREA
Source: Media Research / The Chicago Council on Foreign Relations
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews to 1,000 South Korean adults, conducted from Jul. 5 to Jul. 16, 2004. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

Other report highlights: Global Perspectives, U.S.-South Korea Security Relations.

Complete Poll (PDF)
Complete Poll (PDF)

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