Abstract
Why do negative attitudes toward refugees remain widespread in South Korea despite limited direct contact with refugees? Although existing explanations emphasize economic, security, and cultural threats, they do not fully account for the South Korean case. Using survey data collected in 2024, we find that neither objective information about refugees nor subjective perceptions is associated with public attitudes. Instead, greater interest in refugee issues is linked to more negative attitudes. This association is strongest among individuals with strong ethnic identity and does not replicate among those with strong civic identity. These findings suggest that awareness campaigns and information provision are unlikely to reduce hostility when the dominant discursive environment is organized around exclusionary frames. Instead, sustained engagement that challenges ethnic boundaries is more likely to shift entrenched attitudes.