Most Americans view North Korea very negatively and see its nuclear program as a major threat. While a majority support direct talks between the US and North Korea, many are skeptical that North Korea is serious about addressing concerns over its nuclear weapons. Concern over North Korea's nuclear weapons spans Asia and views of the US and its leaders remain largely positive in South Korea.

1. Public Opinion on Issues Related to
the Korean Peninsula
Jacob Poushter
Senior Researcher, Global Attitudes October 10, 2018

2. AMERICAN VIEWS OF NORTH KOREA
2

3. 3
Americans Are Coldest on North Korea Among 10 Nations
Average ratings for __ on a “feeling thermometer” from 0 to 100
Note: Feeling thermometer ratings: very cold (0-24), somewhat cold (25-49), neutral (50), somewhat warm (51-75), very warm (76-100).
Don’t know/no answer responses not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted July 30-August 12, 2018.

4. 4
Across Party Lines, Most Have Very Cold Feelings Toward
North Korea
% who rate North Korea as __ on a “feeling thermometer” from 0 (coldest rating) to 100 (warmest rating)
61%
62
61
17%
17
19
15%
16
13
4%
3
4
3%
2
3
Total
Rep/Lean Rep
Dem/Lean Dem
Very cold Somewhat cold Neutral Somewhat warm Very warm
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted July 30-August 12, 2018.

5. 5
North Korea Widely Viewed as a Major Threat to
the United States
% who say each is a __ to the well-being of the United States
75%
72
68
59
53
52
46
21%
23
26
24
36
38
40
3%
3
4
15
8
9
11
North Korea's nuclear program
Global climate change
Iran's nuclear program
Russia's power and influence
China's power and influence
Major threat Minor threat Not a threat
Cyberattacks from
other countries
The Islamic militant group in
Iraq and Syria, known as ISIS
Note: Don’t know responses not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted October 25-30, 2017.

6. 6
In Late 2017, Increasing Concerns About North Korea and
Large Majority Says Trump is Willing to Use Military Force
% who say …
56%
47
47
71%
64
65
84
2013 2017
U.S. govt should take North Korea’s
threats to use nuclear missiles
against the U.S. very seriously
North Korea is capable of launching
a nuclear missile that could reach
the U.S.
North Korea’s leadership is really
willing to follow through on threat to
use nuclear weapons against U.S.
Donald Trump is really willing to use
military force against North Korea
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted October 25-30, 2017.

7. 7
Most Americans Support Talks with North Korea,
But Many Say North Korea Not Serious About Concerns
% who say they __ of the U.S. negotiating directly with North Korea over its nuclear program
21% 71% 8%Total
ApproveDisapprove DK
49 38 13Total
SeriousNot serious DK
% who say North Korea’s leadership is __ about addressing concerns about their nuclear program
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted April 25–May 1, 2018.

8. 8
Far More Republicans Support North Korea Talks Than
Backed Iran Talks in 2015
% who say they approve of U.S. negotiating directly with __ over its nuclear program
85%
40
63
59
63%
60
64
54
May 2018
March 2015
Oct 2009
Sep 2006
Rep/Lean Rep Dem/Lean Dem
North Korea
Iran
Note: In September 2006, question wording was “favor or oppose direct negotiations with Iran.”
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted April 25–May 1, 2018.

9. 9
American Public Not Convinced North Korea Will Give Up
Nuclear Weapons
% who say that the summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un will lead to North Korea giving
up its nuclear weapons
53% 41% 6%
LikelyUnlikely DK
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted June 13-15, 2018 by ABC News/Washington Post.

10. ASIAN-PACIFIC VIEWS OF NORTH KOREA
10

11. Concern About North Korean Nuclear Weapons Spans Much
of Asia-Pacific and the U.S.
11
66%
65
60
59
54
38
23
24%
23
27
26
27
37
34
90%
88
87
85
81
75
57
Japan
U.S.
Philippines
South Korea
Australia
Indonesia
Vietnam
Somewhat
concerned
Very
concerned Total
How concerned are you about North Korea having nuclear weapons?
Source: Spring 2017 Global Attitudes Survey.

12. 12
South Koreans, Japanese Say U.S. Would Come to Their Aid in
Conflict with North Korea
7%
13
91%
82
Would use
military force
Would not use
military force
South Korea
Japan
30 64
If our country and North Korea got into a serious military conflict, do you think the
U.S. would or would not use military force to defend our country?
If one of our allies in Asia got into a serious military conflict with North Korea, do you
think we should or should not use military force to defend them?
Should not use
military force
Should use
military force
U.S.
Source: Spring 2017 Global Attitudes Survey.

13. October 12, 2018 13
South Korean Views of the U.S. and its President
58
52
46
58
70 78
79 78
82 84
75
80
36
22
30
81
75 77
84
88
17
44
0
100
2000 2004 2008 2012 2016
Favorable view of U.S.
Confidence in U.S. president
Bush Obama Trump
Among South Koreans …
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey.
2018
%

14. 14
All Pew Research Center reports are available
online at www.pewresearch.org
Jacob Poushter
Senior Researcher, Global Attitudes
@japoushter