A survey by the Korea Institute for National Unification on diplomacy and security experts shows that the prospects of an absorption-type unification of the two Koreas increased this year.

The institute unveiled this year’s “unification clocks” on Tuesday. A unification clock counting down to when South Korea absorbs the North moved forward by ten minutes. The hands now point to 5:30, with 12 o’clock being the point at which North Korea is absorbed by the South.

Meanwhile, a unification clock counting down to the two Koreas agreeing to unify moved backwards by 14 minutes to 3:31.

The results show that more experts now believe the current deterioration of inter-Korean relations and instability of the North Korean regime has reduced the likelihood of a merger by mutual agreement of the two nations, increasing the likelihood of South Korea taking over North Korea.

Unveiled in 2009 by the Korea Institute for National Unification, the unification clocks embody a 12-question survey on security experts. This year’s survey polled 80 analysts.