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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] SEOUL, South Korea – October 20, 2025 – For the first time since records began, fewer than half of South Koreans believe unification with North Korea is necessary, according to the 2025 Unification Perception Survey released by the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU).
Only 49% of respondents supported the idea of unification, marking the first decline below 50% since 2016. Among younger generations, support was far lower — 38% among Millennials and 46% among Gen Z — the lowest levels of any age group.
Instead, a growing majority now favors peaceful coexistence over unification. About 63% said unification is unnecessary if the two Koreas can live peacefully without conflict, with Millennials and Gen Z showing the strongest preference for stability. KINU analysts noted that “the normalization of tensions without direct conflict has led many citizens to prefer the current status quo over uncertain change.”
Public opinion on engagement with North Korea remains divided: roughly one-third support humanitarian aid and reopening joint projects such as the Kaesong Industrial Complex, while nearly 70% agree that inter-Korean summits remain necessary.
알파경제 Kim Jisun (stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
