South Korean Perceptions of Soft Power: How the Hanguk People See Their Place
Abstract
This study analyzes how South Korean citizens evaluate their nation’s soft power. In addition, two questions will add explanations to support the purpose of this research: 1) how South Koreans evaluate the nation’s soft power according to demographic variables and 2) which factors shape perceptions of Koreans soft power. This research examined six independent variables and three dependent variables. Three independent variables were demographic factors, the remaining variables were determinants of social status. The results of ANOVA shows that: 1) Three independent variables, age, occupation, and level of education, affect South Korean perception for political Soft Power, 2) Four variables, region, age, level of education, and income, make an influence on perception of diplomatic Soft Power. 3) Occupation is the only factor which affects cultural Soft Power. Especially, age variable brought distinctive differences of perceived political and diplomatic Soft Power.