Press Release

Press Release

The Asan Institute for Policy Studies


The following are the key findings from the public opinion survey conducted by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. The survey was conducted from February 16-18, 2013 and employed the random digit dialing method for mobile and landline telephones. The sample size was 1,000 over the age of 19 living in Korea. The margin of error is ±3.1% at the 95% confidence level.


l  Overall, 63.2% stated that they felt insecure following North Korea’s nuclear test.

l  When asked about a range of social risks, a plurality (39.9%) stated that they felt most insecure by the North Korea nuclear test. 34.0% said they felt most insecure due to violent crime.

l  Among North Korean provocations, a plurality (31.2%) stated they felt most insecure about the North’s nuclear tests. 27.4% cited the North’s shelling of Yeonpyeong Island as making them feel the most insecure.

l  For those that stated that they did not feel insecure by North Korea’s nuclear test (35.7%), a plurality (34.6%) said they did not feel as such because nuclear weapons were viewed as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the United States. 32.1% said they did not feel insecure because there was little possibility for North Korea to launch nuclear missiles at South Korea.

l  53.6% stated that it was likely that North Korea would use its nuclear weapons if there is a war.

l  Regarding trust in the government, 51.5% stated that they did not trust the government statements on the radiation levels following the North’s nuclear test.

l  If radiation were to enter the atmosphere from a North Korea nuclear test and move into South Korea, 82.6% stated that they had no plan on what to do in such a scenario.

l  At the same time, 94.6% cited radioactivity as dangerous.

l  Following the North’s nuclear test, 56.3% stated they thought their chances of being exposed to radioactivity had increased following North Korea’s nuclear test.

l  Should North Korea conduct a fourth test in the near future, 72.0% said they would feel more insecure.


For questions regarding this survey, please contact Karl Friedhoff at