August 14, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Although many people in South Korea are skeptical about the outcome of an upcoming summit between their country and North Korea, most agree the meeting should take place, according to a poll by Gallup Korea published in Chosun Ilbo. 75.6 per cent of respondents support holding a second inter-Korean summit this month.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Although many people in South Korea are skeptical about the outcome of an upcoming summit between their country and North Korea, most agree the meeting should take place, according to a poll by Gallup Korea published in Chosun Ilbo. 75.6 per cent of respondents support holding a second inter-Korean summit this month.

However, 69.2 per cent of respondents do not expect the meeting to result in North Korea changing its hostile attitude towards South Korea.

Diplomatic relations between the North and South have been strained since the end of the Korean War. A one-mile demilitarized zone has separated the two countries since 1953.

Kim Jong-il has been the de-facto leader of North Korea since the death of his father, Kim Il Song, in 1994. In 2005, the government of North Korea admitted publicly for the first time that it possesses nuclear weapons. In February, North Korea reached an agreement with the United States under the framework of the six-party talks that will result in the suspension of its nuclear weapons program in exchange for one million tonnes of fuel oil, economic assistance, and humanitarian aid.

Delegates from South Korea and North Korea have agreed to hold a summit from Aug. 28 to Aug. 30 in Pyongyang, North Korea. It will be the second-ever official meeting between the two nations. The government of South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun has said it is willing to offer help to rebuild North Korea's shattered economy.

Earlier this month, South Korea's former prime minister and presidential hopeful Lee Hae-chan of the ruling Uri party said it is "highly likely" that the two Koreas will agree on large-scale economic cooperation during the summit, which could lead to "an economic boom" in the North.

Polling Data

Do you support or oppose holding a second inter-Korean summit from Aug. 28 to Aug. 30?

Support	75.6%
Oppose	20.1%

Do you expect the summit to bring about positive changes in the attitudes of North Korea?

Yes	27.7%
No	69.2%

Source: Gallup Korea / Chosun Ilbo
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 814 South Korean adults, conducted on Aug. 8, 2007. Margin of error is 3.6 per cent.