S. Koreans Trusted Gov’t More Than Businesses in 2017 


 

Last year, South Koreans trusted government more and businesses less compared to the year prior, while level of trust in the media and NGOs remained nearly unchanged.

In total, South Korea’s trust levels in the four sectors of society rose by 23 percentage points from 2016, placing it among China, the UAE, Sweden, Malaysia and Poland as one of the nations in which trust increased dramatically.

These results were generated by U.S. PR firm Edelman via its 2018 Edelman Trust Barometer. Citizens’ trust in government, business, media and NGOs in 28 ｃountries were analyzed.

South Korea’s rise in Edelman’s Trust Index was due to a surge of 17 percentage points in government confidence from 2016 to 2017. The contrasting levels of trust in the two years can be explained by the political scandal involving former President Park Geun-hye in 2016, which ultimately led to mass rallies and Park’s impeachment.

With a score of 45 percent, South Korea ranked 12th out of the 28 ｃountries that were assessed.

Trust in businesses in the same period, meanwhile, took a nosedive by 7 percentage points, dragging South Korea down to 36 percent. Along with Hong Kong, which also came in at 36 percent, the two Asian states measured lowest in this category.

Trust in media stayed constant year-on-year at 40 percent, while NGOs suffered a one percentage point loss in trust over the same period. South Korea placed 17th and 13th, respectively, in these categories.

Little changes in trust were found in Russia, Indonesia and the U.K. Erosion of trust was most severe in the U.S., ｄropping by 38 percentage points, far ahead of second-place Italy (21 percentage point ｄrop).

Article Source: http://koreabizwire.com/s-koreans-trusted-govt-more-than-businesses-in-2017/111572
Image Source: http://2xkcvt35vyxycuy7x23e0em1a5g.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/trust-illustration-620x370-e1455715618290.png

VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. Prior (adj.) ~ existing or coming before in time, order, or importance
2. Surge (n.) ~ a sudden large increase, typically a brief one that happens during an otherwise stable or quiescent period
3. Nosedive (n.) ~ a sudden dramatic deterioration
4. Severe (adj.) ~ strict or harsh
5. Drag (v./ informal) ~ involve someone or something in (a situation or matter), typically when such involvement is inappropriate or unnecessary

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. According to the article, Koreans trusted the government in 2017 than in previous years. What do you think are the factors that influence this higher level of trust?
2. By contrast, the trust to the business sector declined. What are the reasons for that?
3. How much do you trust the four sectors of Korean society, government, business, media and NGOs?