January 24, 2019
SURVEY SHOWS INTER-KOREA RAPPROCHEMENT RISKS US-SOUTH KOREA ALLIANCE
NORTH KOREA IS NUCLEAR STATE, WILL NOT DENUCLEARISE
SECURITY AND SOVEREIGNTY OF SOUTH KOREA VIABLE WITH US-SOUTH KOREA ALLIANCE
Washington, DC. January 24, 2019 — A recent poll conducted by Institute for Corean-American Studies (ICAS) identifies how the current state of the US-Korea relationship and some of the Korean Peninsula issues are viewed.
Conducted to ICAS audience on the Hill, the poll shows that 65% of the respondents in the survey believe that the apparent inter-Korean rapprochement may risk the alliance between the US and South Korea (SK).
Although 86% answered that the US-SK Alliance should be preserved, a clear and growing concern on the status of the Alliance has been revealed as the rapprochement between SK and North Korea (NK) attempt to move ahead of the denuclearization effort.
This apparent inter-Korean rapprochement might lead to the growing doubts on the status and the role of the Alliance to maintain the security of the peninsula and to resolve the Korean Peninsula issues. 32% believe that security and sovereignty of the SK might be viable in the absence of the US-SK Alliance.
Moreover, while Washington and Pyongyang are getting ready for their presumptive second summit, 64% of the respondents believe that the Korean Peninsula issues should be settled by the people of the Korean Peninsula.
Adopting and maintaining the sanctions on NK is viewed as necessary among the respondents as 78% disagrees the US sanctions against NK be lifted. 72% disagrees that the UN sanctions be lifted.
From the perspectives of the respondents, denuclearizing NK continues to look challenging. 84% answered that they did not believe North Korea would denuclearize itself. Moreover, about 88% now believes that NK is a nuclear state.
There is a tight mix of hopes and doubts for the presumptive second meeting between President Trump and President Kim of NK. There are 48% for both Yes and No when asked if the meeting would serve a good purpose, the polls show.
The NK human rights issue maintains to be a significant agenda. For the second Trump-Kim summit, 67% believes the NK human rights issue should be on the agenda.
The survey was conducted from January 3 to January 11, 2019 via email with a moderate credibility interval. Supplemental graphic data are available on www.icasinc.org/strategy.html and www.icasinc.org/2019/2019w/2019wpro.html.
Inquiry to ICAS@icasinc.org
About Institute for Corean-American Studies (ICAS)
ICAS was established in 1973, as a non-profit, non-partisan, and private educational and research organization and it is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. ICAS is not an agent of any government and/or a foreign principal, and solely supported by voluntary contributions. Its activities and programs rely on the private donations of the general public, i.e., individuals, foundations, and corporations. ICAS promotes pertinent relations and conducts appropriate activities with a special emphasis on multilateral relations between the United States and Asia-Pacific rim nations. Its membership includes individuals from varied sectors embracing academic, corporate, cultural, educational, international and other related fields. ICAS strives to provide public services pro bono publico.