Koreans Feel Separated Family Issue Must Be Resolved Urgently

A recent survey indicates that a majority of Koreans, 82 percent, support the Kim Dae-jung administration's policies toward North Korea and reunification. The most urgent issue to be resolved after the South-North summit, according to 42 percent of respondents, is the separated families matter.

The survey was jointly conducted by JoongAng Ilbo and The Korean Unification Forum in celebration of the 55th anniversary of Liberation Day.

Following the separated families matter, 33 percent chose the easing of tension and the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula as the most pressing issue. 20 percent believe that economic and social cooperation is the most urgent issue, and 4 percent feel that the strengthening of diplomatic relations with surrounding countries is Korea's primary task.

Considering the separated families problem, 36 percent feel that the verification of whether relatives are still alive is the most important related issue, while 33 percent believe that extensive reunion meetings should be swiftly arranged.

Pollers found that 93 percent of the nation prefer 'reunification through negotiation between South and North Korea,' affirming the high expectations engendered by the recent talks between the diplomats of the two countries.

Whereas support for the policies toward North Korea and reunification are high, 51 percent feel that conflicts between people's opinions in South Korea were aggravated after the summit. Efforts to expand discussion and affect a nationwide consensus, therefore, are needed.

Noteworthy is that 77 percent of the nation believe that South Korean government policy toward North Korea has been exploited as a political tool. 86 percent feel that a cooperative organization transcending differences between the ruling and opposition parties is necessary in order to improve policy toward North Korea and realize reunification.

by Kim Haing