
[Photo] S. Korea ranks 19th in soft power; highest score ever |
Soft power, defined by the Soft Power 30 index as “the ability to achieve objectives through attraction and persuasion,” is seen by many as the more importance method of influence in the 21st century, as opposed to the traditional hard power of military and economic might. Soft power takes cultural, educational, and informational factors into account. The 2019 Soft Power 30 index is published by Portland Communications and ateh USC Center on Public Diplomacy. The index ranked South Korea 19th, the highest ranking the country’s ever gotten. Singapore ranked 21st, while Japan took eight place, the highest ranking among Asian countries. The US slipped from fourth to fifth place, most likely the result of Trump’s America first policies.
