The latest survey by the BBC and East Asia Institute reported that 32 percent of foreigners have a negative sentiment toward Korea, up 2 percentage points from 2010.
Frequent Sino-Korean frictions have been responsible for the negative attitude the Chinese have to Korea. The ill feelings the Chinese harbor regarding Korea has jumped by as much as 30 percentage points over the past two years. Their positive sentiment toward the country fell by 21 percentage points during the same period.
This mutual disregard has spread to the cyber world through young Koreans and Chinese where more rants can be voiced anonymously.
Fifty-one percent of Germans, 50 percent of Chinese and 47 percent of French people have a negative feeling toward this country. Out of the G20 countries, Korea ranked second to last after Russia in the national image ranking.
Not to despair, the Korean wave or ``hallyu’’ seems to have a positive impact on South Korea’s image among Asians. Fifty-seven percent of Filipinos, 53 percent of Americans and 51 percent of Indonesians have a favorable view toward Korea.
Overall thirty-six percent has a positive image of Korea, up 4 percentage points from 2010. The survey sampled more than 28,000 citizens in 27 countries between December and January.
Obviously Korea has experienced erosion of its national image even despite hosting the G20 summit in Seoul last year. Approachable ways to encourage the Chinese and Europeans to understand Korea anew are urgently in need.