Majority of South Koreans skeptical of NK giving up nuclear arms

▶Survey on reunification by maekyung & Hankook Research

Eight out of 10 South Koreans doubt Pyongyang’s sincerity in giving up nuclear weapons and younger Koreans are less avid in the idea of unification, according to a poll timed with the June 25, 1950 breakout of the Korean War.

In the survey conducted by Maeil Business Newspaper and Hankook Research from June 12 to 17 on 1,203 Koreans aged over 19, 76.7 percent was skeptical about North Korea surrendering nuclear arms versus 13.4 percent positive answer. The other 9.9 percent said they did not have an opinion on the issue.

Unsurprisingly, conservatives were overwhelmingly doubtful. A majority of liberals - 63.9 percent – also did not believe North Korea would abandon its nuclear ambitions.

The poll finding underscores the gap between the public view and government envisioning of a complete denuclearization through diplomatic efforts.

The survey also found that 60.4 percent of the respondents wanted the two Koreas to be reunified, compared with 27.3 percent who said they did not want reunification. The remaining 12.3 percent said they were not determined. Less than half of the respondents under the age of 35 supported reunification, probably because of fears on costs and possible social chaos.

The most desirable way for reunification was gradual integration after the North’s opening and regime change, with 54.2 percent choosing the answer. This was followed by 21.5 percent of the respondents who preferred a federal structure in which each side maintains its own leadership and system, and 21.3 percent expected the North to collapse and be absorbed by the South.

When asked why inter-Korean dialogues are necessary, 55.2 percent believed the inter-Korean dialogue is necessary to prevent military conflicts and maintain peace on the Korean peninsula, 34.2 percent to enhance inter-Korean exchanges and achieve co-prosperity, and 10.6 percent for reunification.

Regarding political leaning of the respondents, 31.8 percent of the respondents said they are liberal while 25.5 percent said they are conservative. About 43 percent said they are neither liberal nor conservative. The 20s considered themselves left-leaning, while most of their older counterparts aged over 65 defined themselves conservatives.

[ⓒ Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]