ICAS Polling XVI


April 15, 2021

SURVEY SHOWS

USG OUGHT TO DEPLOY GLOBAL MAGNITZKY ACT IN THE KOREAN PENINSULA
DEMOCRACY IN SK WEAKENED UNDER MOON ADMINISTRATION
BIDEN ADM ADVISED TO DEMAND KIM REGIME TO STRIKE DOWN "NUCLEAR STATE" CLAUSE
SK ALONE UNABLE TO DEFEND NUCLEAR NK AMBITION
MOON ADMINISTRATION ABLE TO DISMANTLE SK'S SECURITY ARCHITECTURE
STOCKHOLM SYNDROME MANIFESTED IN SK
KJU COULD EXERCISE "FIRST USE DOCTRINE"
MORE SANCTIONS NEEDED TO BREAK DIPLOMATIC DOLDRUMS WITH KIM REGIME

Washington, D.C. April 15, 2021 (ICAS) — A sixteenth new poll conducted by the Institute for Corean-American Studies (ICAS) continues to identify issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula from a national security standpoint of the U.S.

Conducted to an ICAS audience on the Hill, 73% of the respondents believe that the US Government (USG) ought to activate and deploy the Global Magnitzky Act in dealing with issues in the Korean Peninsula, while 24% of the respondents do not believe so.

Almost all respondents (92%) believe that some individuals and entities in the Korean Peninsula could be among qualified targets for secondary sanctions.

65% of the respondents think democracy in SK has weakened since the current Moon administration came to power; 30% think it strengthened.

To the question of whether you would advise the Biden's administration to demand the Kim regime to strike down the clause of "nuclear state" designation from its Constitution and the Doctrine of Korean Workers Party (KWP) as a preliminary prerequisite of denuclearisation of NK, 63% replied “yes” and 32% said “no”.

76% of the respondents think that a massive political uprising by ordinary people in NK is not likely against the Kim regime. 24% think it is possible.

68% of the respondents believe that SK will be unable to deter and defend the apparent ambition of NK armed with nuclear forces while 27% do believe so.

43% of the respondents shared a belief that the Moon administration may be able to dismantle SK's security architecture before denuclearising NK while 51% do not believe so.

65% of the respondents believe that the persistent rhetoric of "Peace on the Peninsula" may have engendered a sense of Stockholm syndrome among a wide swath of the SK populace. 32% disagreed.

87% of the respondents do not believe the words of a senior official of SK saying that Jong Un Kim (KJU) of NK said he would denuclearise NK. 11% said they believe so.

68% of the respondents believe that SK will continue to develop as a free and democratic country and a reliable ally of the US under the current and future administrations while 27% do not believe so.

62% of the respondents said they would not be surprised that KJU would make good on his words that he could exercise the "first use doctrine" of his nuclear weapons in order to realize the unification of the Peninsula while 35% said they would be surprised.

To the question of which one of the following, i.e., “relieving sanctions” vs “more sanctions”, do you believe may break an apparent diplomatic doldrums with NK, 57% favoured the latter while 35% chose the former.

The survey was conducted from March 21, 2021 to April 5, 2021 via email with a moderate credibility interval. Supplemental graphic data are available on www.icasinc.org/strategy.html and www.icasinc.org/strategy/polling16.pptx

Inquiry to ICAS@icasinc.org

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About Institute for Corean-American Studies (ICAS)

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.

This page last modified April 15, 2021 rmj