In global survey, S. Koreans most optimistic about economy

SEOUL, April 19 (Yonhap) -- South Koreans are more optimistic about overcoming
the current economic crisis than citizens of 25 other nations around the globe, a
poll showed Sunday.

The survey by Gallup Korea showed that pessimism among South Korean consumers was
reduced by 26 percentage points from three months ago, the largest stride among
surveyed populations.
The South Korean pollster conducted the survey with the Worldwide Independent
Network of Market Research, an international group composed of major independent
researchers in 25 different countries, to monitor citizens' perceptions of the
financial crisis in each country.
While 70 percent of the 814 South Koreans surveyed said in December 2008 they
expected the economic situation will be worse in three months, only 44 percent
gave the same response in March.
The list of countries where consumer expectations for the second quarter improved
included Britain (11 percentage points), Japan (10 percentage points), Canada (9
percentage points), Germany (7 percentage points), Brazil (5 percentage points),
Italy (4 percentage points) and France (3 percentage points).
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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