Before resuming talks, the North must show it is in good faith: this is what respondents of a survey conducted by the Korea Society Opinion Institute believe. There is scepticism about whether nuclear reactors will really be dismantled.

Seoul (AsiaNews) – 65% of the South Korean population is calling on the government to resume talks with the North only if this leads to real steps towards dismantling the regime’s nuclear programs.

This was confirmed in a survey conducted last week by the Korea Society Opinion Institute among a cohort of 1000 people. Of these, 31% were for the immediate and unconditional renewal of ties while the remaining 4% said they had no views about the matter.

Apart from dialogue between Seoul and Pyongyang, the Institute asked participants what they thought about the real intentions of the regime of Kim Jong-il as regards nuclear disarmament: 45.7% believe the Stalinist government is really committed to peace while 44% are certain North Korea will not keep its word with the international community.

Pyongyang signed an accord with other participants of the “six-party talks on nuclear disarmament” that binds it to shut down its nuclear reactors in exchange for energy aid. Further, the United States has accepted to launch procedures towards granting the regime full diplomatic recognition.

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