Paper Title
What is Going on with Social Trust in South Korea: A Mixed-Methods Approach

Abstract
Trust plays a crucial role in comprehending the dynamics of social relations, often regarded as the cohesive force that binds societies together. The level of social trust significantly influences the well-being and stability of societies, while a breakdown in trust can lead to various social, economic, and political challenges. Existing research on the social nature of trust has predominantly focused on the United States and Europe, raising questions about the generalizability of these findings to all countries. This study aims to shed light on social trust in South Korea, a nation known for its blend of Confucian traditional values and rapid information development, which has garnered considerable interest among scholars examining the dimensions of social trust. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this research utilizes both quantitative and qualitative data from open databases such as WVS Wave 7 and ISSP 2014-2018. Additionally, semi structured interviews with a sample of international students in South Korea (N = 15) provide life examples to enrich the quantitative findings. The analysis shows moderate trust levels in South Korea, higher within small groups but lower towards out-groups. Regression results suggest that feelings of safety and belonging increase trust, while religiosity and competitiveness decrease it. Qualitative data supports this, portraying Korean society as cooperative, prioritizing group over individual needs, yet competitive, especially evident in educational pursuits. Keywords - Social Trust, Generalized Trust, Trust Radius, South Korea, Mixed-Method Approach