The purpose of this study is to identify the perception that the USFK(United States Forces Korea) has of South Korea by comparing their preconceived image with their post-image of Korea.
In this study, we can see how the USFK’s perception of south K...
The purpose of this study is to identify the perception that the USFK(United States Forces Korea) has of South Korea by comparing their preconceived image with their post-image of Korea.
In this study, we can see how the USFK’s perception of south Korea has changed. Theoretical analysis is carried out on the national image, which the USFK, as a tourist, has. Based on the theoretical analysis, we chose items of South Korean images and conducted a practical study on the Korean's national image during the USFK’s stay in South Korea.
The final image dimensions/factors were named: social and economical factors, tourism factors, national security, public security factors and cultural factors.
The IPA(importance-performance analysis), t-test, factor analysis and regression analysis were used to complete the study. A questionnaire with 26 questions was distributed to the respondents in restaurants, offices and hotels on the yongsan base in seoul. From April 1st to 30th, a total of 300 questionnaires were distributed, 291 were collected, 11 were incomplete, 280 were selected, and analyzed for the final analysis.
After the results were obtained, we could see that the cognitive national image of South Korea had significantly changed after the USFK’s stay in Korea. All of the factors positively changed during their stay. For example, their views on security showed the greatest change rising from (2.66) to (3.83). The social and economic image increased from (3.49) to (4.09). The cultural perception increased from (3.42) to (3.85). Lastly, the image of tourism increased from (3.38) to (3.70). These results demonstrate how the perception of Korea changed substantially during the USFK’s visit.
IPA was performed on the 4 main factors studied, most of the respondents maintained the same viewpoints as when they first arrived. Social and economical factors are keep up the good work. It means that we just let it go. The USFK’s views in cultural factors became more concentrated/intensified. This demonstrates that we need to focus on culture to attract more tourists, While the image of security and public factors, and tourism factors are at a low-level. This means that we should try to minimize the negative perceptions on a global level. But tourism factors cline to concentrated/intensified. So, it is really important to put together cultural factors and tourism factors to make a synergy.
When asked about whether they would consider revisiting South Korea, most respondents who replied ‘yes’ were influenced mostly by social/economical factors, cultural factors and tourism factors. The relative influence of these factors is as follows: the cultural factor (0.487), the tour related factor (0.296) and the social/economical factor (0.217). This too, displays that greater emphasis is needed in the areas of culture, and tourism. Furthermore, the respondents answered that they would recommend South Korea to others based only on their image of culture and tourism, and not by the social/economical image of Korea, or the image they have of security/public order. The relative importance of these findings is as follows: the tour related image (0.525) and the cultural image (0.414).
After analyzing the results, we can conclude that the USFK’s image of Korea has positively changed after staying in Korea. These result suggest, we can improve the Korean image by maintaining the existing social/economical image, which is relatively good, and raising the cultural and tour related image through the use of publicity and marketing. By using publicity and marketing we can also shape the world’s perception of security and public order.
This can benefit tourism to Korea by minimizing the importance of national safety matters such as: the threat of a war between North and South Korea and the Nuclear threat from the north. Using publicity and marketing we can also highlight the elements that the public find interesting and captivating from our country and culture.
This can help give tourists a positive image of South Korea before they visit, and promote more tourists to journey to Korea.