A recent 'National Awareness Survey' conducted by South Korea's 'Chosun Ilbo' and Seoul National University shows that only 12.9% of South Korean respondents hold a favorable view of China, compared to 23.1% in 2015—a drop of nearly half.
According to the 'Chosun Ilbo' report, this 2025 poll also reveals that 56.8% of respondents have a negative view of China.
By age group, respondents aged 18 to 29 had the lowest favorability towards China, at just 9%. The 30 to 39 age group was also low, at 9.4%. The 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 to 69 age groups were 13.2%, 14.9%, and 13.5% respectively, while those aged 70 and above had the highest favorability towards China at 16.5%.
Analysis indicates that since the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea in 2016, China has pressured South Korea with restrictions on Korean cultural content. In addition, Chinese President Xi Jinping's crackdown on freedom of speech and extended rule have all led to a decline in South Korean favorability towards China.
The poll also noted that over the past ten years, among the four countries of the U.S., China, Japan, and Russia, favorability among South Koreans has only risen towards Japan.
Some 25.4% of respondents said they have a favorable view of Japan, almost double the 13% from ten years ago. Favorability towards the U.S. fell slightly from 54.2% in 2015 to 53.8%, while favorability towards Russia dropped slightly from 11.6% to 9.9%. (News source: Central News Agency)