Dr. Han Wool Jeong is Senior Research Fellow at the EAI Public Opinion Research Unit. He is also a member of the UNC/USFK Commander’s Korea Advisory Council (KAC). Dr. Jeong received his Ph.D. in political science at Korea University.

Summary

It has been more than a year and a half since President Park Geun-hye’s unification initiative, known as the unification “bonanza” idea, emerged in public discourse. Considering the ongoing challenges in inter-Korean relations, it may still be early to pass judgment on whether such an effort brought about real improvement. However, President Park’s effort did seem to shed new light on the issue of unification, a topic that has been less interesting to the public for some time. For Korea, this year marks the 70th anniversary of National Liberation as well as the 70th anniversary of national division. In light of this meaningful occasion, EAI conducted a Smart Q&A interview with Dr. Han Wool Jeong by looking into the public opinion over the issue of unification and discussed its implications on the Park administration entering its midterm period.■

Park Geun-hye Administration’s Unification Policy at Its Halfway Point

“Less Momentum for the Unification “Bonanza” Idea: Decreased Public Support amid Continued Apprehension towards Unification”

“Skepticism by those in their 20s and 30s is also a Burden”

Causes for Lose of Momentum on Unification

“(1) Weaker Approval Ratings for the Current Administration (2) Frigid Inter-Korean Relations (3) Worsening Perception towards the Economy”

How to Reignite the Unification Momentum?

“All Out Effort on Inter-Korean Relations and the Economy”

※ This interview was based on the previously published [EAI Opinion Review] 2015-08E report.

Through the Smart Q&A, EAI seeks to offer timely and in-depth analysis on current issues by conducting video inter-views with domestic and international experts. EAI takes no institutional position on what is said in the interviews and they are solely the position of the interviewees.

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