GSOMIA CANCELLATION WITH JAPAN A SIGNIFICANT BLOW TO
SECURITY ARCHITECTURE OF THE US-SOUTH KOREA-JAPAN
US AND SOUTH KOREA WILL REMAIN CREDIBLE PARTNERS
SOUTH KOREA UNABLE TO DEFEND AGAINST MILITARY THREATS AND UNPREPARED TO PAY POLITICAL PRICE
Washington, D.C. September 2, 2019 (ICAS) — A fourth new poll conducted by the Institute for Corean-American Studies (ICAS) continues to identify how the current state of the South Korea (SK)-Japan (JP) and the US-SK relationships as well as some of the Korean Peninsula issues are viewed.
Conducted to an ICAS audience on the Hill, the poll shows that 90% of the respondents do not believe that SK Government's (SKG) cancelling the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) with the Government of JP (JPG) will benefit SK from the standpoint of (i) security vis-a-vis North Korea (NK), (ii) SK economy, (iii) the US-SK alliance, (iv) the SK-JP relations and (v) the national interests of SK. The poll also shows that more than 85% believe the cancellation of the GSOMIA will be detrimental to the trilateral security architecture of the US-SK-JP.
To the question of who will not benefit from terminating the GSOMIA, the poll shows SK (31%), JP (30%), US (28%), China (3%), Russia (3%), and NK (2%), respectively.
Despite the overwhelming negative implications arising from the cancelling the GSOMIA as above, more than 67% of the respondents believe SK and US would remain credible partners for the bilateral alliance. 67% believe that SK will not be able to defend itself against neighbours' apparent military threats and only 9% of the respondents agree that SK is prepared to pay a political price for not being able to defend itself
The survey was conducted from August 22 to August 30, 2019 via email with a moderate credibility interval. Supplemental graphic data are available on www.icasinc.org/strategy.html and Powerpoint for Polling IV.
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 is 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.