Using multinominal logistic regression analysis, the authores analyzes the perception by the citizens of South Korea and Russia of the economic relations between the two countries based on the results of 2016–2018 national polls. As the analysis has shown, in general, Koreans and Russians positively perceive each other’s culture, bilateral cooperation and mutual economic relations, although a very high (about 40–50%) share is made up by those who treat them neutrally, without interest. In the ideas of the inhabitants of Russia and South Korea about the nature of economic cooperation between their countries, there are elements of both symmetry and asymmetry. In particular, among the Koreans and Russians surveyed, people over 60 are much more likely to perceive bilateral relations as competition rather than partnership. In both countries, assessment of economic relations between South Korea and Russia depends on the attitude towards the people of the respective country, but if in South Korea it also depends on the perception of Russia as an attractive tourist destination, in Russia South Korea is almost not perceived as a tourist destination.