ICAS Polling XI


August 3, 2020

SURVEY SHOWS

THE WEAKEST LINK IN THE IRON-CLAD US-SK ALLIANCE IS MOON AND TRUMP
SK RELYING ON US MILITARY FOR LIFE PROPERTY PROTECTION IN CONTINGENCY
SIGNS OF N KOREANISATION OF SK SOCIETY EVIDENT
SKG NEVER RAISED ISSUE WITH NKG ITS HOSTILE POLICY TO SK

Washington, D.C. August 3, 2020 (ICAS) — An eleventh new poll conducted by the Institute for Corean-American Studies (ICAS) continues to identify possible impacts of the apparent dynamics of the Korean Peninsula Issues from a national security perspective of the US.

Conducted to an ICAS audience on the Hill, all of the respondents believe that the security of SK is in the important interest of the US national security. Similarly, 88% of the respondents gave a “high” rating to the value of preserving SK in the US national security in contingency case in the Korean Peninsula. While 85% believe that SK may be the "Western Frontier" of the US national security sphere, 12% do not believe so. To the question of whether SK may be the linchpin of the US alliance structure in Northeast Asia, 67% of the respondents stated affirmatively while 24% replied negatively.

52% of the respondents think it is the US military that will protect citizen's life and property in SK in case of contingency while President Moon of SK receiving 24% of the affirmative response, and the combination of US and SK marked 21%. Chairman Kim of NK received 0%.

On the question of what is the weakest link in the "ironclad" US-SK Alliance, 43% stated President Moon, 40% President Trump, and 18% pro-CCP elements in SK.

Referring to the recently reported incidents of the NK leadership insulting the SK leadership and even threatening it and yet no one and no group from the ruling camp of SK has, to date, came out denouncing the NK leadership in support of the SK leadership, the survey asked respondents who the SK people would turn to for protection of their life and property in case of contingency. 42% said the US leadership, 27% the combination of the US and SK leadership, 27% the SK leadership whereas the NK, the Chinese, and the Japanese leaderships received 0%, respectively.

80% of the respondents believe that NK has been attempting the SKG to be subservient to it while 15% did not believe so. To the question of whether SKG has been accommodating the NK’s demands for subservience, 55% replied affirmatively, and 40% negatively. 36% of the espondents believe that building peace and stability is possible in the Korean Peninsula without eliminating NK’s nuclear arsenal while 60% view that it is not possible. 64% of the respondents think that there are quite a few indications of a North Koreanization of SK under the incumbent leadership of SK and 30% did not think so. 78% of the respondents replied that they have not ever heard that the SK leadership has asked NK to abandon its “hostile policy” towards SK.

The survey was conducted from July 12, 2020 to July 27, 2020 via email with a moderate credibility interval. Supplemental graphic data are available on www.icasinc.org/strategy.html and www.icasinc.org/strategy/polling11.xlsx.

Inquiry to ICAS@icasinc.org
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ICAS was established in 1973, as a non-profit, non-partisan, and private educational and research organization and it is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. ICAS is not an agent of any government and/or a foreign principal, and is solely supported by voluntary contributions. Its activities and programs rely on the private donations of the general public, i.e., individuals, foundations, and corporations. ICAS promotes pertinent relations and conducts appropriate activities with a special emphasis on multilateral relations between the United States and Asia-Pacific rim nations. Its membership includes individuals from varied sectors embracing academic, corporate, cultural, educational, international and other related fields. ICAS strives to provide public services pro bono publico.

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