South Korea Country Profile
How do New Zealanders South Korea and its relationship with New Zealand? This country profile is based on our latest New Zealanders’ Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples report, which presents the results from a survey of 2,300 New Zealanders aged 15 years and over, conducted between 6 November and 4 December 2024. The results of the survey give a unique glimpse into the importance of South Korea to New Zealanders.
Asia New Zealand Foundation research shows that New Zealanders are increasingly recognising the importance of South Korea. While it is much less populous than some of its neighbours, our latest New Zealanders' Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples research shows it is seen as the fifth most important Asian country to New Zealand’s future. It’s also seen as one of our closest friends in the region.
CJ Cultural Foundation intern Ankita Singh: "As for the future of New Zealand–South Korea relations, I feel there is huge potential."
52 percent of New Zealanders see South Korea as important to New Zealand’s future, making it the fifth most important country in Asia after China, Japan, India and Singapore.
South Korea's importance to New Zealand's future
Q: How important do you think South Korea is to New Zealand’s future?
Perceptions of Asia 2025
South Korea is one New Zealand’s closest friend in Asia, third-equal with the Philippines, with 62 percent of New Zealanders identifying South Korea as a friend or close friend. Friend perceptions increased nine percentage points from the last survey. Eight percent of New Zealanders see South Korea as a threat.
Friend or threat perceptions
Q: Do you view South Korea as a friend or a threat
Perceptions of Asia 2025
Positive sentiment towards South Korea has increased significantly over time. While 47 percent of New Zealanders saw South Korea as a friend in 2018, 62 percent view it as a friend today.
The New Zealand-South Korea relationship has come a long way since diplomatic relations were established in 1962.
Today, South Korea is one of New Zealand’s most important partners in the Asia region. Annual trade between the two countries nears $9 billion, making the nation south of the 38th parallel our sixth largest trade partner.
However, our links extend beyond trade; for instance, we also claim connections to one of the country’s most successful K-pop bands, Blackpink – two of its four members have strong ties to New Zealand.
35 percent of New Zealanders think New Zealand should invest extra effort into its relationship with South Korea.
A priority relationship
Why should New Zealand invest extra effort into its relationship with South Korea?
Perceptions of Asia 2025
South Korea is seen as one of New Zealand’s most important defence and security partners in Asia, second only to Japan. 39 percent identify South Korea as an important country to work with, up 10 percent from the last survey.
Young New Zealanders are interested in learning Korea, with nine percent of those under 30 saying they’d most want to learn Korean if they had the opportunity to learn an Asian language. Only Japanese and Mandarin were more popular.
“South Korea is an industrialised and innovative country. We have a strong trading relationship and there are many South Koreans living in New Zealand.”
Female, over 70 years, New Zealand European and other European, Auckland
Download the South Korea country paper
pdf, 890.77 KB
Download the full 2025 Perceptions of Asia report
pdf, 8.36 MB
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