Most Chinese consumers think the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system has damaged the image of South Korean products, according to a survey conducted in South Korea, the Chinese version of Yonhap News Agency reported on Wednesday.
Among the 1,000 surveyed Chinese consumers, 899 knew about the THAAD issue, 83.2 percent of whom think the dispute has worsened the image of South Korean products, data from the World Trade Academy under the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) showed in the report.
There were 450 respondents saying they have not bought any South Korean products since the China-South Korean fallout over THAAD began, while 63.1 percent of them intended to do so after the issue was resolved.
The South Korean products that have the highest purchase rate among Chinese consumers are cosmetics, food and drinks as well as fashion clothing. Large household appliances are the most satisfying product, according to the 87.1 percent of respondents who have bought South Korean products.
The survey also showed that 83.3 percent of the respondents who have traveled to South Korea think of the country's products positively.
The KITA said that relations between South Korea and China are expected to recover soon, but it will take some time for South Korean products to win back the faith of Chinese consumers, according to the report.
