ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

This study empirically explores the implications of South Korean patriotism, one of the main elements of national identity, for attitudes toward North Korea and reunification, using a nationally representative survey dataset. It made the following observations: First, most respondents take pride in being a Korean as well as in the country’s political, economic, technological, and cultural achievements and its history while less than the majority do not in its armed forces and fair and equal treatment of all groups in society. Second, patriotism in general as well as its specific forms such as constructive, blind, and symbolic patriotism and its related constructs such as nationalism and national identity, are all associated positively with age but negatively with education and family income. Third, patriotism and constructive patriotism in particular, lead one to view North Korea as a partner or someone who are dependent upon South Korea rather than as an enemy or someone we need to be cautious about, other things being equal. Neither nationalism nor blind patriotism seems to have any independent statistical effect on one’s image of North Korea. Fourth, patriotism and constructive patriotism seem to increase not only one’s preference toward reunification in general but also toward specific policies while blind patriotism does not seem to have any significant effect. Finally, women are more like to have negative attitudes about reunification. And older generations are more likely to favor reunification, which is in contrast with previous findings. In sum, the current patriotism of South Koreans does not seem to lead them to view North Korea as out-group or the object of prejudice and antagonism. In addition, even blind patriotism and nationalism does not have any discernible negative effect upon attitudes toward North Korea and reunification. Hence, the promotion of patriotism and constructive patriotism in particular should be encouraged in the process of reunification.

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