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Percentage of South Koreans who believe the April inter-Korean summit will contribute to advancing inter-Korean relations and the establishment of peace
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70 percent of the public believes that the summit will lead to better relations and the establishment of peace
Seven out of ten South Koreans believe an inter-Korean summit scheduled for late April will contribute to advancing inter-Korean relations and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula. The National Unification Advisory Council (NUAC), an organization advising the South Korean President, commissioned a survey by the polling organization Research and Research between Mar. 15 and 18 investigating opinions on unification among 1,000 adult male and female South Koreans for the first quarter of 2018. The results showed 70.1% of respondents agreeing that the inter-Korean summit would “contribute to the advancement of inter-Korean relations and establishment of peace on the peninsula.” Only 25.2% said they did not expect it to make such a contribution. When asked what [should be] the agenda for the summit, 50.3% of respondents named “denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” while 36.8% said “easing of military tensions,” 33.4% said “establishing a peace regime on the peninsula,” and 32.2% said “resolving humanitarian issues such as reunions among divided family members.” 62.2% of respondents were optimistic about the prospects for inter-Korean relations, predicting they would “improve.” Relatively few predicted relations would remain “unchanged” (27.2%) or “worsen” (6.4%). Just over half of respondents – 50.1% – said they viewed North Korea as a “partner to cooperate with and support,” while nearly eight in ten – 79% – said that reunification was “necessary.” As the biggest achievement by the special delegation which visited Pyongyang on Mar. 5–6 on behalf of President Moon Jae-in, respondents named “North Korea’s expression of willingness to denuclearize and have dialogue with the US” (38.1%). Additional achievements given by respondents included “the pledge to suspend nuclear and missile testing while dialogue is taken place and refrain from using nuclear or conventional weapons against the South”(20.1%) and “the agreement to hold a third inter-Korean summit at Panmunjeom” (17.3%). Respondents overwhelming supported the administration’s North Korea policy, with 69.6% saying they “agree” to just 26.9% who reported disagreeing. The survey was conducted by telephone interviews. The results had a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points and a 95% confidence level. By Noh Ji-won, staff reporter Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]
