A divided nation, divided views? How South Koreans’ political and social orientations shape their view of North Korea?

This study investigates how South Koreans’ political and social orientations shape their perceptions of North Korea and North Korean defectors. Analyzing nationally representative survey data (N = 8251) from the 2024 Social Integration Survey, we employ ordinary least squares regression models to test a dual-framework hypothesis. The findings reveal a striking bifurcation in public opinion. Views of the North Korean state are positively associated with progressive ideology, high political interest, and social inclusiveness but negatively associated with patriotism and trust in the government. Conversely, acceptance of North Korean defectors is associated with conservatism, patriotism, trust in government, and social inclusiveness. These patterns suggest that the public applies distinct logics—ideological-positional versus moral-humanitarian—when evaluating the regime versus its people. We interpret these findings as descriptive associations rather than causal effects. The results highlight the politicized nature of inter-Korean perceptions and the risk of defectors being instrumentalized in domestic political battles, with implications for integration policy and inter-Korean relations.