Russians are confident that the Korean crisis is caused by the U.S.A rather than the North Korea. Russia’s role, as seen by Russians, is to be a mediator in the conflict.
MOSCOW, September 15, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a study devoted to the conflict on the Korean peninsula.
The aggravation of the situation on the Korean peninsula did not pass unnoticed: 87% have heard of North Korea’s threat. More than half of respondents blame the United States for escalating the conflict (57%) (64% among those who are well aware of the situation); just 12% point to the North Korea.
North Korea’s nuclear weapons are perceived by certain Russians (46%) as a factor threatening Russia’s national interest; by others (46%) – not. Many see no obvious consequences of the use of nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula (29% fail to answer, 20% see there will be no consequences). At the same time, about half of Russians mention various negative impacts, mainly related to environmental deterioration and radioactive contamination.
Most of respondents consider that Russia should be a mediator in the negotiations if a nuclear conflict occurs on the Korean peninsula (70%). A further 20% prefer neutral position. Many respondents fail to assess the consequences of a hypothetical American attack on North Korea (48% failed to precise what Russia should do in this situation). Possible strategies might be to act as a mediator or not to intervene in the conflict at all.
The VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide survey was conducted on September 1-2, 2017. The survey involved 1,200 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted for the probability of selection and reflect social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 3.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Results for the 2013 study are based on household survey.
Do you personally know/have you heard/do you hear for the first time that North Korea threatens South Korea and the U.S.A. with a nuclear strike? (closed-ended, one answer, %) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and over |
I am well aware about that | 38 | 19 | 22 | 36 | 45 | 50 |
I heard something but I do not know any details | 49 | 61 | 55 | 47 | 45 | 47 |
This is the first time I hear about that | 12 | 20 | 22 | 15 | 8 | 2 |
Don’t know | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
North Korea declares that its actions are an attempt to secure against a threat coming from the U.S.A and other countries. In your opinion, what party is to blame for Korean conflict? (closed-ended, one answer, %) |
| ||||
| Total respondents | Those who are well aware | Those who heard something but do not know any details | Those who heard for the first time about that | |
North Korea | 12 | 16 | 11 | 6 | |
U.S.A. | 57 | 64 | 58 | 34 | |
South Korea | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Other | 4 | 5 | 3 | 6 | |
Don’t know | 26 | 14 | 27 | 53 | |
In your opinion, are the North Korean nuclear weapons pose any threat to Russian national interest? (closed-ended, one answer, %) | |
| Total respondents |
Yes | 46 |
No | 46 |
Don’t know | 8 |
Assume that North Korea actually possesses nuclear weapons. In your opinion, will the use of nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula have any impact on Russia? If yes, what kind of impact? (open-ended question, not more than three answers, %) | |
| Total respondents |
No consequences | 20 |
Environmental impact, contamination, air and water pollution, pollution everywhere | 18 |
Radiation, radioactive cloud | 10 |
Military threat; they will draw us into war | 8 |
There will be consequences (with no precision) | 8 |
Far East will suffer | 7 |
Tense relations, political tensions | 6 |
Global conflict, war | 5 |
Economic consequences | 5 |
Casualties, deaths | 4 |
Various diseases | 3 |
Migrant flow, refugees | 2 |
Other | 1 |
Don’t know | 29 |
What stance should Russia take on nuclear threat on the Korean peninsula? (closed-ended, one answer, %) | ||
| 2013 | 2017 |
To support North Korea | 2 | 2 |
To support South Korea and the U.S.A.* | 2 | 1 |
To be a mediator between the conflicting parties to prevent a military conflict | 55 | 70 |
Not to intervene in the conflict | 36 | 20 |
Other (specify) | 0 | 2 |
Don’t know | 5 | 5 |
*In 2013, the wording was “To support South Korea”
If the U.S.A launches a massive strike on North Korea, what should Russia do in this situation? (open-ended question, not more than three answers, %) | |
| Total respondents |
Nothing | 13 |
Conduct negotiations | 9 |
Provide assistance for those in need in North Korea | 7 |
Support North Korea | 5 |
Strike back against U.S.A | 4 |
Make efforts not to allow this happen | 4 |
Be ready for the conflict | 4 |
Voice protest internationally | 4 |
Protect Russia’s civilians, Russian territory | 4 |
Impose sanctions against U.S.A | 1 |
Intervene in a conflict, possibly in a war | 1 |
Use air defense system to counter missiles | 1 |
This will not happen | 1 |
Other | 2 |
Don’t know | 48 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!