Poll Finds Less Trust in Blue House than in Conglomerates
2005-05-25
Shin Chang-woon
(JoongAng Daily)
A survey indicates that Koreans have more trust in the nation’s leading business conglomerates, or chaebols, than in political parties or the Blue House.
From May 11 to 13, the JoongAng Ilbo and the East Asia Institute conducted a joint survey of 1,619 Koreans over 18, asking how they viewed 23 major companies and government bodies. They were asked to rate each institution on a scale of 1 to 10, both for credibility and for their influence in society.
Samsung Group came out on top in both categories, with 7.17 points in influence and 6.80 in credibility. Hyundai Motor, SK Group and LG Group all ranked among the top six in both categories.
The Constitutional Court of Korea and the Supreme Court of Korea also ranked near the top of the list in credibility, finishing fourth and sixth, respectively.
Kang Won-taek, a political science professor at Soongsil University, said those results indicate that the public recognizes the authority of the nation’s legal institutions.
But other government institutions fared less well. The Blue House and the governing Uri Party both ranked toward the bottom in credibility. The Uri Party, in fact, finished last; the Blue House was 19th among the 23 institutions.
The opposition Grand National Party was regarded as only slightly more trustworthy, at 17th.
Mr. Kang said the survey demonstrated a significant change in the public’s perception of the government, which, he argued, will no longer be able to exercise control as forcefully as it did in the past.
For the business conglomerates, Mr. Kang said, the results suggest a new level of perceived social responsibility.
"Now these companies will be under the watchful eyes of the public," he said. "They will be held accountable for their financial practices and will also be asked to take on social responsibilities."