Other Publication 2025 Global Survey on Korean Unification: Executive Summary Date 2025-12-30 Authors Sang Sin Lee Tae-eun Min Moo Chul Lee Bongki Lee Kwang-il Yoon Bon-sang Koo Sangmi Jung List Abstract DOWNLOAD PDF I. Global Survey on Korean Unification 5 1. Purpose and Methodology of the Study 7 2. Summary of Key Findings 10II. South Korea and North Korea 13 1. Level of Knowledge about the Korean Peninsula 15 2. Interest in the Korean Peninsula 16 3. National Images of South and North Korea 184. Respondents’ Own Country’s Relations 27with South and North Korea 5. Importance of South Korea and North Korea 29in Respondents’ Own Foreign PolicyIII. Peace and Unification on the Korean Peninsula 31 1. Peace on the Korean Peninsula and 33Support from the International Community 2. Lessons from German Unification 35 3. Necessity and Feasibility of Korean Unification 37 4. Threat Posed by North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons 39 5. Purpose of North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons 41 6. Options to Denuclearization of North Korea 43Ⅳ. International Affairs and Security 45 1. Five-Year Outlook on U.S.–China Relations 47 2. Trust in the U.S. Nuclear Umbrella Policy 49 3. U.S. Public Perceptions of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) 51 4. North Korea-Japan Relations 52 Ⅱ. South Korea and North Korea• Overall, South Korea is perceived as a trustworthy and cooperative state, whereas North Korea is viewed as a source of threat and distrust.• Europe and North America generally regard South Korea as a mature partner; Japan, however, shows cool and distrustful attitudes toward both Koreas.• In most countries, North Korea is seen as threatening, while South Korea is not. Japan is the notable exception, perceiving South Korea as a threat as well.• In cultural and economic imagery, South Korea is viewed as advanced, whereas North Korea is regarded as underdeveloped.• Poland tends to view South Korea as an “ambitious” state, while Japan and Mongolia show tendencies to see it as “dependent.”• Japan exhibits high knowledge of Korean Peninsula issues but also relatively negative images of both Koreas. Mongolia displays high interest in Korean Peninsula affairs and maintains a balanced, positive view of both South and North Korea.– South Korea enjoys broad international trust, but Japan’s persistent coolness may pose a challenge to South Korea’s image balance in Northeast Asia.• Mongolia has been deepening its economic and political ties with South Korea while maintaining traditional friendly relations with North Korea. These factors likely contribute to Mongolian respondents’ positive attitudes toward both Koreas.Ⅲ. Peace and Unification on the Korean Peninsula• Regarding international support for peace on the Korean Peninsula, the United States is highly willing to provide all forms of support, whereas Japan remains reluctant.• Germans, having experienced national unification, show positive attitudes toward Korean unification as well.• While the international community agrees with the ideal of unification, it is skeptical about its practical feasibility.– Most surveyed countries recognize the need for Korean unification but assess its likelihood as low.• Japan records the lowest levels for both the perceived necessity and feasibility of unification, while Mongolia records the highest. Japan’s skepticism may reflect its strategic perception that unification might not serve Japanese national interests.• In most countries, 70–80% view North Korea’s nuclear weapons as an “offensive threat.” Threat perceptions are strongest in Japan (81.5%) and the United States (73%), and relatively weaker in Europe.• Mongolia stands out as the only country where a high share of respondents (69%) view North Korea’s nuclear weapons as “for self-defense,” influenced by its traditionally friendly relations with Pyongyang.• Preferred approaches to North Korean denuclearization follow this order: diplomatic measures first, followed by economic sanctions, and lastly military options.IⅤ. International Affairs and Security• Outlook on U.S.–China relations: 86% expect relations to “worsen or remain stagnant,” reflecting perceptions of a structurally entrenched rivalry.• Credibility of the U.S. nuclear umbrella: the average stands at 38%, with high confidence only in South Korea (71%) and Poland (49%).• U.S. Forces Korea (USFK): 75% of Americans support maintaining or increasing troop levels, indicating sustained public support for the U.S. role in international security.• Japan–North Korea relations: 49% of Japanese respondents view dialogue with North Korea as necessary.
