Majority of Americans Back Korea-U.S. Alliance

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Majority of Americans Back Korea-U.S. Alliance

Published: 11 Oct. 2024, 10:57 Updated: 11 Oct. 2024, 11:11

Apache attack helicopters at Camp Humphreys, a U.S. military base, in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi on Aug. 19 [YONHAP]

Nearly 70 percent of Americans believe that the South Korea-U.S. alliance is in the interest of U.S. national security, a survey showed Thursday, underscoring their support for the longstanding security partnership amid growing North Korean threats and other security challenges.

The Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) released its annual survey on Americans' attitudes toward the Korean Peninsula. It was conducted by YouGov, a data analytics firm, on 1,184 American adults from Sept. 3 to 13.

The survey found that 68 percent of the respondents said that the bilateral alliance serves U.S. security interests. The figure is up from 65 percent in a 2020 survey.

"Americans widely support the continued U.S. military presence and defense commitments in South Korea, acknowledging South Korea as a critical ally to regional security," KEI said in a news release.

The latest poll came amid speculation that who wins the U.S. presidential election in November could affect the U.S.' relationship with South Korea and its foreign policy direction. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her Republican rival Donald Trump have been in a close race for the White House, according to various polls.

The survey found that 67.5 percent of Trump supporters and 77.1 percent of Harris supporters agreed that the South Korea-U.S. alliance is in U.S. national interests.

On the question of South Korea's nuclear armament, 23.78 percent supported it while 48.05 percent opposed it.

Regarding the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), 55 percent of those questioned said the U.S. should maintain its current troop level, down from 56 percent in last year's survey, while 13 percent supported a USFK troop reduction, up from 11 percent in the previous survey.

In the latest survey, 67.6 percent of Harris supporters and 68.3 percent of Trump supporters said that the USFK troop level should be maintained or increased.

Moreover, 16 percent of Trump supporters said that USFK should be reduced or withdrawn, compared to 14.4 percent of Harris supporters.

Sixty-eight percent of the respondents said trade with South Korea benefits the U.S. On the same question, 75.6 percent of Harris supporters and 67.5 percent of Trump supporters said that trade with South Korea is beneficial.

It also found that 90 percent of Americans consider the North Korean nuclear issue "important," up from 84 percent in 2022.

The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.22 percent.

Yonhap