Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Half of South Koreans think sudden North Korean invasion is possible: poll
An Israeli officer walks on the grounds of the Super Nova Festival in Re'im, Israel, Oct. 17, after a surprise attack by Hamas militants earlier this month. A recent poll showed that nearly half of South Koreans think that a sudden North Korean invasion is possible. EPA-Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
Nearly half of South Koreans believe a sudden invasion by North Korea is possible, a recent poll shows.
According to data released on Thursday by Opinion Research Justice, a pollster, 48.3 percent of respondents said they think there is some or high possibility of a surprise attack from the North, while 47.4 percent said such scenario is unlikely or impossible.
The rate of those concerned about a war is higher than those from two previous polls showing 37 percent in 2017 and 42.7 percent in 2020, respectively.
The recognition of the risk is higher among women (50.2 percent) than men (46.3 percent).
By age, the rate is the highest among those who are 60 years or older as 59 percent of them believe it is a real possibility; the figure is lowest among those in their 40s, only 39.4 percent of whom agreed.
The results also show that those in support of President Yoon Suk Yeol assess the risk higher ― 73.2 percent ― than those who disapprove him.
In another survey result revealed the same day, 48.3 percent said Seoul should maintain the inter-Korean military agreement, while 37.4 percent said it should be suspended or revoked.
The agreement, signed by the previous Moon Jae-in administration on Sept. 9, 2018, amid a thaw in cross-border relations, includes setting up no-fly zones near the border as well as a system for communication to prevent accidental clashes.
After North Korea’s repeated violation of the accord, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said the South should no longer adhere to agreement, which he said significantly limits the ministry’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.