Majority South Koreans See Unification With North As Unnecessary - First Time Since 2014 Polls

Recent polling by the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) reveals that for the first time since 2014, a majority of South Koreans—51 percent—do not see unification with North Korea as necessary, marking a significant shift in public opinion. Support for unification dropped to 49 percent, a 3.8 percent decline from the previous year, with this trend reflecting a broader structural change rather than short-term fluctuations. The survey also showed that 63.2 percent of respondents believe unification is unnecessary as long as peaceful coexistence between the two Koreas is maintained, and 47 percent prefer the peninsula to remain divided rather than unify. Additionally, public interest in North Korea has waned, with 68.1 percent expressing no interest, the highest level recorded since 2015. Analysts attribute this shift to ongoing inter-Korean tensions, North Korea's hostile stance, its nuclear threats, and domestic political and economic factors influencing South Korean perceptions. Overall, the findings suggest growing indifference toward reconciliation and a preference for peaceful coexistence over unification among South Koreans of all generations.