A majority of South Koreans surveyed believes that having a strong military is essential to survival– and a majority perceives nuclear weapons can provide that military strength, according to a recent poll. [1]

Of the 1,038 South Korean adults surveyed, 72.7 percent of the respondents agreed with the statement that “a strong military is necessary to survive in international relations.” Furthermore, 66.5 percent agreed that South Korea should possess nuclear weapons, a significant increase from the roughly 51 percent who expressed a similar view in a poll taken in September 2004. [1, 2]

The new poll, sponsored by the Joongang Ilbo (a major South Korean daily) and the East Asia
Institute (EAI), was conducted between August 31 and September 16, 2005, and released in October 2005. The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent. [1]

Previously, a survey of 300 retired South Korean generals conducted by the Korea Institute for
National Unification (KINU) in 1999 revealed that 39 percent of this sample believed that a unified Korea “must have nuclear weapons,” while 57 percent believed a unified Korea should “have the capability to rapidly manufacture” nuclear weapons. [3]

When taken together with the possibility of Korean unification in the future, the support for strengthening of the military and/or for the nuclearization of Korea could have serious implications for the U.S.-ROK alliance and regional security. A 2004 national public survey by the Joongang Ilbo, found that 65 percent of South Koreans viewed unification to be desirable, an increase from 59 percent in 2003.[4] In the Global Views 2004 survey, a total of 91 percent favored reunification accomplished either “cautiously” (69 percent) or “at all costs” (22 percent). [5]

Meanwhile, antipathy towards the United States has continued to grow in South Korea, particularly among younger Koreans. For example, a recent public opinion poll by the Chosun Ilbo (a major conservative South Korean daily) revealed that 65.9 percent of Koreans born in the 1980s (ages 16-25) said they would side with North Korea in the case of a war between North Korea and the United States. [6]

Finally, the new poll by the Joongang Ilbo and EAI indicates that most South Koreans feel the global community does not respect South Korea. Sixty-seven percent believe South Korea does not receive its due and proper treatment from the international community. Furthermore, only 20 percent said they trust the United States, while 44 percent said they distrust the United States. [1]

Kim T’ae-Hyŏn, an international relations professor at Chung-Ang University in Seoul, attributes the sentiment to Korea’s geopolitical position of having major powers on all sides: “History made a large contribution in creating those negative and close-minded views [toward] the international community.” [1] Furthermore, Hwang Chang-yŏp, a former secretary in the Korean Workers Party and the highest level official to defect from North Korea, reacted harshly to the Chosun Ilbo poll results, accusing the 16- to 25-year-olds as “having lost their minds” and being “mentally disabled” for responding that they would side with North Korea in the case of war with the United States. [7]

SOURCES: [1] Shin Chang-woon and Chun Young-gi, “Koreans Cast Wary Eye on World,” Joongang Daily, October 15, 2005. Shin Ch’ang-Un and Chŏn Yŏng-Ki, “Ha-Pukhaek Yŏnghyang…‘Han’gukto Haengmugi Kajyŏya’ 67% [“ROK Too Should Have Nuclear Weapons”…NK Nuclear Weapons Influence],” Joongang Ilbo, October 14, 2005. [2] “South Korean Public Topline Report,” Global Views, 2004, East Asia Institute (EAI), September 2004, p. 25. [View Article] [3] Chosun Ilbo, August 15, 1999, in “Survey Says Former ROK Generals Want Nuclear Capability,” FBIS Document FTS19990815000348; Yonhap News Agency, January 19, 2000, in “ROK Ex-Generals Favor Post-Unification Nuclear Capability,” FBIS Document FTS20000119000091. [4] Shin Chang-un and Brian Lee, “More Desire to See Unification,” Joongang Daily, September 23, 2004. [5] “South Korean Public Topline Report,” Global Views, 2004, East Asia Institute (EAI), September 2004, p. 22. [View Article] [6] Pak Tu-Shik and Pak Min-Sŏn, “‘Mi-Puk Chŏnjaengddaen Puk Pyŏndŏlgetta’ 66% ‘Pukhan’e Kasŏ Salgo Shipta’ Nŏn 0% [‘Side with NK During NK—U.S. War’: 66%; ‘Want to Move and Live in NK’: 0%],” Chosun Ilbo, August 15, 2005. [7] Yonhap News Agency, in “Hwang Chang-yŏp ‘Pukhan Chijija, Chŏngshinjŏk Pulguja’ [Hwang Chang-yŏp: ‘NK Supporters Mentally Disabled’],” Joongang Ilbo, October 15, 2005.