A survey has shown that seven out of ten South Korean internet users believe South-North relations will improve this year despite the recent developments in North Korea’s nuclear issue.

According to the survey conducted by the Advisory Council on Democratic and Peaceful Unification, more than 73 percent of 622 Internet
users polled think relations between the two Koreas will be enhanced in 2005.

Around 25 percent replied that they expect inter-Korean ties to remain unchanged.

The survey also showed that 37 percent of respondents believe inter-Korean trade would be the key to improving relations between the two Koreas, while some 27 percent stressed dialogue, and around 13 percent underlined the need to send special envoys.

The poll was released two weeks after North Korea declared on February 10 that it possess nuclear weapons and will indefinitely withdraw from the six-way talks on its nuclear program.