With the worsening relationship between the United States and North Korea reaching Cold War-era level tensions, many worry about the outbreak of war. As foreign policy experts scramble to answer if the likelihood of war is increasing, American and South Korean citizens stand on the side of diplomacy. While the overall view of North Korea is poor in the United States, Americans are looking to use economic pressure rather than military as a means of handling North Korea’s nuclear threat. 76% Americans agree to use economic sanctions while 40% wish to conduct airstrikes on nuclear production facilities and only 28% believe in sending troops to North Korea.
South Korea, sharing a history and a border with North Korea, has been the target of North Korean nuclear strikes in the past. The Korean War of 1950 resulted in a cease-fire, but no treaty was signed to officially end the war. Yet, increasingly South Koreans want to improve diplomatic relations with North Korea. In 2015, 17% of South Koreans felt that North Korea was an enemy state threatening South Korea’s safety; however, in 2016, 15% of South Koreans felt this way. While the changes in South Korea’s view of North Korea have been modest, given South Korea’s history with North Korea, these modest numbers illustrate South Koreans’ willingness to continually re-assess a long-standing foreign policy issue.
Both the United States and South Korea have had a long, tenuous history with North Korea; however, citizens of both nations do not view war as the answer. And instead, are looking for answers through diplomatic measures. As our world becomes smaller and more connected through social media, do you think war and military action will continue to lose popularity with ordinary citizens?
