Seoul:Less than half of South Koreans believe that unifying with North Korea is necessary, as revealed by a recent poll. This marks the second consecutive year that support for unification has remained below 50 percent.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Institute for National Unification conducted the survey, which found that 48.2 percent of respondents see unification as necessary. This figure represents a slight decline from 49 percent in 2025.

The survey also highlighted generational differences in opinion. Over 60 percent of those born in 1960 or earlier consider unification necessary, whereas less than 40 percent of those born in 1991 or later share this view.

Additionally, when asked about the possibility of peaceful coexistence making unification unnecessary, 66.9 percent agreed, an increase from 63.2 percent the previous year. Interest in North Korea has waned, with 70.3 percent expressing disinterest, a 2.2 percentage point rise from the previous year and the highest since the survey began in 2014.

Further, 71.6 percent of participants perceive North Korea as a separate state. The poll, conducted from April 2 to April 24, surveyed 1,003 adults and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.