South Korea's government officials have been pouring all their efforts into ensuring the success of the Inter-Korean summit,... but how do the general public feel about the rapid diplomatic developments on the peninsula?<br />Our Park Hee-jun hit the streets of Seoul to find out. <br /><br /><br /> The much anticipated summit is now just over a week away, and the South Korean government is welcoming the renewed dialogue between the two Koreas.<br /> But what about the South Korean public?<br /><br /> According to a survey by the Korea Society Opinion Institute, conducted between March 16th and 17th,... a majority of South Koreans favored holding the inter-Korean summit. <br /> And when asked whether the talks would be productive,... more than half of them said 'yes'. <br /><br /> "I think it's great that the two Koreas are holding the summit. I'm hoping that South and North Korea will unite someday,... and the renewed exchange will have a positive impact."<br /><br /> "Watching the two countries interact after a long standstill makes me feel like things are beginning to clear up."<br /><br /> "I'm very much in favor of the inter-Korean summit. Regardless of whether or not there is a favorable outcome,... embracing them will someday lead to unification. I support the government for making such an effort to resume the talks."<br /><br /> “South Koreans generally appear to have positive opinions towards holding the inter-Korean summit. But on whether the talks will have the desired outcome of bringing North Korea to denuclearize,... they’re not so sure.”<br /><br /> In a survey of over one-thousand respondents by Gallup Korea from March 13th to March 15th,... more than half the respondents said they think North Korea will not give up its nuclear weapons.<br />Only 22 percent said it will, eventually. <br /><br /> "I believe there's a very low chance of North Korea denuclearizing. The Kim Jong-un regime knows very well that it cannot exist without nuclear weapons. I think we should take this opportunity to identify North Korea's nuclear capabilities."<br /><br /> "It's hard to know for sure, but I'm skeptical about whether North Korea will change its attitude,... which is why I'm not so supportive of the inter-Korean summit."<br /><br /> And aside from denuclearization,... people also wished for the talks to lead to further discussions on other important issues, including restarting the Kaesong Industrial Complex and Geumgangsan Mountain tours.<br />But a more urgent issue for the public-- is conducting reunions for separated families,... as it's a matter where time is of the essence.<br /><br />Park Hee-jun, Arirang News. <br />
