Less than half of S. Koreans say unification with N. Korea necessary: poll
Less than half of South Koreans believe unifying the divided Koreas is necessary, a poll showed Wednesday, marking the second consecutive year that those in favor of unification fell short of 50 percent. According to…
Source: Korea Times Feed · September 30, 2026 at 1:32 AM · AI-assisted report
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SEOUL, 30 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
Seoul – A poll by the Korea Institute for National Unification released on Wednesday found that only 48.2 percent of South Koreans consider unification with the North “necessary”, the first time in two consecutive years that support has fallen below the halfway mark.
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The survey, conducted from 2‑24 April among 1,003 adults, shows a modest decline from 49 percent in 2025. By generation, more than 60 percent of respondents born in 1960 or earlier said unification was needed, while less than 40 percent of those born in 1991 or later shared that view.
When asked whether they agreed that unification would “not” be required if the two Koreas could coexist peacefully, 66.9 percent answered affirmatively, up from 63.2 percent a year earlier. The poll also recorded that 70.3 percent of respondents said they were not interested in North Korea, a 2.2‑point rise from the previous year and the highest level since the institute began its annual survey in 2014.
Additionally, 71.6 percent perceived North Korea as a separate state. The results carry a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.
The Korea Institute for National Unification, a government‑affiliated think‑tank, has tracked public sentiment on the Korean peninsula since 2014. Its annual surveys have become a barometer for policymakers assessing the domestic appetite for any diplomatic overtures toward Pyongyang. The latest figures suggest a generational shift, with younger South Koreans less inclined to view reunification as a national priority.
The rise in respondents who believe peaceful coexistence would render unification unnecessary aligns with broader regional trends toward pragmatic engagement rather than ideological reunification.
The data arrives as Seoul’s government continues to balance security concerns with economic considerations. Officials have repeatedly emphasized the need for a stable peninsula to attract foreign investment and sustain growth, especially as Malaysia and other ASEAN economies watch closely for any disruption to supply chains that could emanate from heightened inter‑Korean tensions.
The poll’s indication that a majority of South Koreans are disengaged from North Korean affairs may ease domestic pressure on the administration to pursue high‑cost reunification projects, allowing it to focus on trade and technology partnerships that benefit the broader region.
Looking ahead, the institute will release its next annual survey in early 2027, which will likely be used by both Seoul and regional partners to gauge whether the current disengagement trend persists. Analysts will watch for any policy adjustments by the South Korean government, particularly in its approach to joint economic zones or humanitarian projects with the North, as public opinion continues to shape the strategic calculus for the peninsula and its neighbours.
Related: Korea Institute for National Unification · Seoul