Breaking |

Breaking |

South Koreans on the US-North summit: hope, doubt, disinterest
Published : Jun 11, 2018, 5:07 pm IST
Updated : Jun 11, 2018, 5:07 pm IST
SHARE ARTICLE
hope, doubt, disinterest
hope, doubt, disinterest

South Koreans are divided on generational and political lines about tomorrow's summit between the North's leader Kim Jong...

 South Koreans are divided on generational and political lines about tomorrow's summit between the North's leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump.Some hope for an end to Cold War confrontation and that the North will eventually give up its nuclear weapons, others are sceptical about Pyongyang's intentions -- and some say they have too many economic problems of their own to pay much attention.Lee Eun-ho, a 70-year-old worker, said the North would never give up its nuclear weapons as Kim had "developed them to hold on to power in the first place".Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump.Kim Jong and Donald Trump

"I have little expectation from the summit," he said.Reunification, he said, would be impossible because four powers -- the US, China, Russia and Japan -- do not want to see a unified Korea.Choi Ho-chul, a 73-year-old former bank employee, said he doubts the North would give up nuclear weapons, which he said were a "means to control its population"."I bet the North will not abandon nuclear weapons," he said, adding that the US and its allies should use both "carrots and sticks" to force the North to do so.nuclear weaponsNuclear weaponsLee Hye-ji, a 31-year-old housewife, was "hopeful" about the Trump-Kim meeting, adding she was less interested in denuclearisation than a declaration that the Korean War was over, 65 years after hostilities stopped with a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty."This would bring us a step closer to reunification", she said.Cho Sung-kwon, a 62-year-old pensioner, added: "It would be a good thing if we stop fighting." He said his perception of Kim -- a "bad guy with nuclear weapons" -- had improved considerably following his two meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the border truce village of Panmunjom.

Advertisement

"Despite his young age, he seems to be shrewd," he said, adding that he believes Kim realises his crusade to develop a nuclear arsenal to ensure his regime's survival has "hit a dead end" under intensifying sanctions."I think the North will denuclearise... because it knows it has no other alternatives," he said.He added that the South would have to provide the North with economic aid as the two were ultimately one people."How awesome it would be if we are reunited like Germany!" - Indifference - Kim Hee-hyun, 30, believes Kim has reached the conclusion that denuclearisation will be beneficial for his own prospects, but was wary about the cost of reunification. South Korean President Moon Jae-inSouth Korean President Moon Jae-in"The South cannot simply afford to take care of the North economically", she said. "But cross-border exchanges and travels would be desirable." Other young South Koreans said they were too preoccupied with their search for work to pay attention to diplomacy.The country's youth unemployment rate stood at 10.7 percent in April and job-seeker Kim Tae-young -- who has a bachelor's degree in engineering and new materials -- said: "Frankly speaking, I have no particular feelings about the summit, but I just hope it would help ease uncertainties.

"It is hard to tell whether reunification would be a good thing, considering the huge economic burdens and wide cultural differences between the two sides," added the 27-year-old.Lee Do-kyu, also 27 and unemployed, said the recent inter-Korean summits had raised his interest in politics, but it had waned rapidly."Because of difficulties finding a job these days, I have lost much interest in those things.

Advertisement

SHARE ARTICLE

PTI

Advertisement

Today Weather Heavy Rain Storm: large tree fell due to a strong storm

23 Jan 2026 6:39 PM

Rs 50 Lakh Scam Exposed in Kharar Municipal Council | Contractor Flees After Taking Road Funds

23 Jan 2026 6:35 PM

\'In BJP, Dalits and backward classes got the most ministries\' - MP Satnam Sandhu

23 Jan 2026 6:34 PM

\'Sukhna Ko Aur Kitna Sukhaoge\': SC Slams \'Builder Mafias\' For Destroying Chandigarh Lake

21 Jan 2026 7:35 PM

Punjabi youth dies in Canada: The only brother of 3 sisters died in Canada, was supposed to return next month

20 Jan 2026 7:09 PM

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann appears before acting jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj at the Akal Takht

15 Jan 2026 6:23 PM
Advertisement