Согласно опросам, корейцы стали хуже относиться к иностранным иммигрантам. Больше стало тех, кому иностранцы не нравятся.

Fewer than half of Koreans now regard immigrants favorably, according to a straw poll by Millward Brown Media Research for the 95th anniversary of the Chosun Ilbo. The poll was conducted among 800 adults across the country last week.

Some 48 percent of respondents said immigrants are helpful to the national economy, compared to 16.9 percent who disagree, with 31.1 percent non-committal.

In a similar 2003 survey, 52.9 percent agreed and 15.5 percent disagreed.

Surprisingly, more respondents in their 40s and 50s agreed that immigrants make a contribution to the economy, while the most negative responses came from people in their 20s, perhaps because they are often struggling to find a job.

A hefty 27.2 percent believe that immigrants are taking jobs away from Koreans, up from 23.1 percent in 2003.

And just 38 percent said immigrants are categorically taking jobs away from Koreans, down from a more tolerant 46.8 percent in 2003, suggesting that the climate is getting more intolerant in tough times.