South Koreans' views of US plunge to 20-year low under Trump: Pew survey

South Koreans' perception of the United States has hit a two-decade low, with 55% expressing unfavorable views, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. This marks a significant increase from 39% in 2025, indicating a growing dissatisfaction with the US among the South Korean public.

Despite this decline, South Koreans still consider the US an important security ally, particularly in light of the nuclear threat from North Korea. The survey, which polled 1,045 individuals from March to April, is part of a broader global study covering 36 countries. Globally, attitudes toward the US have generally deteriorated, while views of China have improved.

Notably, China was viewed more favorably than the US for the first time in the survey's history, with respondents in 25 of the 36 countries rating China higher. South Korea remains one of the few countries, alongside Japan, the Philippines, Poland, Israel, and India, where the US is still viewed more positively than China.

The dip in favorability coincides with a strained period in US-South Korea relations since President Donald Trump's return to the White House in January 2025. Key issues include Trump's demands for increased South Korean contributions to the cost of stationing US troops, a contentious immigration raid on a South Korean-linked factory in Georgia, and disagreements over investment pledges and policy towards Iran.

President Trump's recent decision to significantly reduce joint US-South Korea military drills, which he described as costly and inappropriate, further highlights the friction. The survey, conducted before this decision, also revealed widespread disapproval among South Koreans regarding Trump's handling of tariffs and his approach to Iran.