by Xu Aiying and Kim Young Shin

A recent survey has shown that a majority of people in Korea is positive about the idea that “the unification of South and North Korea is possible and that the benefits would be great.”

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on July 31 the results of this public opinion poll concerning inter-Korea relations. The ministry tasked Hankook Research to conduct the survey, to measure any change in public mood concerning inter-Korea relations, in order to help frame its future policies.

According to the survey results, a majority of people have a positive image of unification, as 83.5 percent of those surveyed expect that the unification of South and North Korea would be realized sooner rather than later. Also, 64.6 percent of respondents said that the benefits of unification would be "great."

However, there were contradictory voices, too, regarding inter-Korea relations. Asked if they see North Koreans as being in the same ethnic group, 83.6 percent of South Koreans said yes. However, 70.2 percent said that North Koreans should still be the subject of caution.

The public was in favor of securing a structure of peace on the Korean Peninsula. Regarding the Moon Jae-in administration’s foreign affairs and national security policies, 75.1 percent of respondents said that “it's doing well.”

“The recent survey was conducted so as to understand the notions and demands of the public regarding the changing inter-Korea relationship,” said the ministry. “The results of this survey will be used as basic data as we go about forming the future of inter-Korea policies.”

The survey was conducted between June 29 and July 6, online, and included 1,521 adult South Korean respondents.

xuaiy@korea.kr