South-North Divide and Political Tolerance: A Liberal Explanation of the Political Attitude toward Pro-North Korean Activities

This study evaluates the political tolerance South Koreans have for pro-North Korean activists, one of the least-liked groups among Koreans. Analyzing the Korea Democracy Barometer Survey conducted in 2010, the study examines whether, and in what fashion, the perception of the political regime in North Korea translates into public political tolerance for pro-North Korean activists. The test results show that a majority of South Koreans have a decided intolerance toward pro-North Korean activists. More interestingly, negative perceptions of the North Korean political regime, and the perceived regime differences between the two Koreas, serve to reduce political tolerance. These findings suggest that South Koreans’ political tolerance of the North, and its sympathizers, can be increased through additional efforts to reduce political regime-level differences between the two Koreas, and by eschewing any ideological manipulation.