Amid the sudden conclusion of the South Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations, a survey result shows that over 60% of the population views the agreement positively. According to a survey by Realmeter conducted on August 1, involving 1,016 adults aged 18 and over nationwide, 63.9% of respondents evaluated the negotiation as well done. Conversely, 32.3% thought it was poorly done.
Regionally, positive evaluations prevailed everywhere, with the following favorable ratings: Gwangju/Jeolla (81.5%), Gyeonggi/Incheon (70%), Daejeon/Sejong/Chungcheong (60.8%), Busan/Ulsan/Gyeongnam (60.7%), Seoul (56%), and Daegu/Gyeongbuk (53.8%).
By age group, favorable opinions were especially high among those in their 40s (77.7%) and 50s (70.6%). Positive evaluations also dominated among those in their 60s (67.4%), 70s and over (62.9%), and 30s (59.1%). However, among those aged 18-29, negative evaluations (53.8%) exceeded positive ones (41.2%).
Opinions also varied distinctly based on ideological leanings. While 84.1% of progressives viewed the negotiations positively, conservatives were nearly split between positive (47.8%) and negative (48%) opinions. Among moderates, 61.7% gave a positive evaluation.
The major achievements of the U.S.-South Korea tariff negotiations cited were the “15% mutual tariff reduction and securing same conditions as competitor countries” (23.8%) and “exclusion of market openings for sensitive domestic items like rice and beef” (23.2%). Other achievements included expanding cooperation in the shipbuilding sector worth $150 billion (17.4%), ensuring most-favored-nation treatment for semiconductors and pharmaceuticals (9.2%), and the establishment of a strategic industry cooperation fund worth $200 billion (8.8%).
Regarding the government’s negotiation efforts, 67.4% responded that the government “made an effort,” while 30.2% said “did not make an effort.” As for whether the negotiations benefited both countries, opinions were split with 49.2% saying “it was beneficial” and 45.5% saying “it was not beneficial.” Furthermore, 58.1% believed the results would offer opportunities for South Korea’s economic development and growth in the long run, while 35.7% opposed this view.
The survey was conducted using an automated response phone (ARS) method, with a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level and a response rate of 3.4%. More detailed survey details and results can be found on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.