Majority of South Koreans prefer status quo with North Korea, survey shows



Analysis Majority of South Koreans prefer status quo with North Korea, survey shows Poll from US-based research group also suggests growing awareness of the enormous costs associated with unification Madelynn Einhorn \| Timothy S. Rich April 28, 2022 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON North Koreans wait at a bus stop in Pyongyang, Oct. 2016 \| Image: NK News (file) Support for Korean unification has gradually declined among the South Korean public, and research suggests this is primarily driven by awareness of the enormous costs associated with a presumably South Korean-led absorption of North Korea. While a majority still support Korean unification – the Korean General Social Survey found support rates over 70% in surveys conducted between 2003 and 2018 – other public opinion research found that support declined by approximately 15% from 2007 to 2017. This decline appears to be driven at least partially by economic concerns. While estimates on the cost of unification range, most estimatessuggest that © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

Analysis

Majority of South Koreans prefer status quo with North Korea, survey shows

Poll from US-based research group also suggests growing awareness of the enormous costs associated with unification

Madelynn Einhorn | Timothy S. Rich April 28, 2022

Majority of South Koreans prefer status quo with North Korea, survey shows

North Koreans wait at a bus stop in Pyongyang, Oct. 2016 | Image: NK News (file)

Support for Korean unification has gradually declined among the South Korean public, and research suggests this is primarily driven by awareness of the enormous costs associated with a presumably South Korean-led absorption of North Korea.

While a majority still support Korean unification – the Korean General Social Survey found support rates over 70% in surveys conducted between 2003 and 2018 – other public opinion research found that support declined by approximately 15% from 2007 to 2017.

This decline appears to be driven at least partially by economic concerns. While estimates on the cost of unification range, most estimatessuggest that