By Kim Bo-eun

North Korea stepped up its provocations in past months, heightening tension on the peninsula, but the majority of South Koreans believe the Koreas should be unified.

According to a Korea Times' survey conducted by Hankook Research, 82 percent of South Koreans believe unification with the North is necessary, but do not see this happening in the near future.

The two Koreas are still technically at war, since the 1950-53 war ended in an armistice.

In the survey, 82 percent of respondents said unification was necessary, 14.9 percent said it was not, and 3.1 percent said they were not interested in the issue.

However, most supporters said unification should not be carried out hastily.

While 13.8 percent said unification should take place as soon as circumstances allow, 68.2 percent said there was no need for haste.

The survey showed people in their 20s were the least enthusiastic about unification.

The higher the age group, the more they supported unification. Respondents in their 60s showed one of the highest rates of support. The lowest percentage of them responded unification was not necessary.

Reunions between family members separated by the war had been held since 2000, with the 20th event taking place in

October 2015. However, the event was halted due to provocations from the North, while elderly individuals who never had the chance to reunite with separated family members continue to pass away.

According to occupation, the self-employed showed the highest rate of support for unification.

Students were the least supportive _ in line with the lowest rate of support among respondents in their 20s.

According to political inclination, those who identified themselves as progressive showed the highest rate of support and those who identified themselves as conservatives the lowest.

As for supporting parties, those who support the progressive minority Justice Party showed the highest rate of support, followed by those supporting the ruling Democratic Party.

Meanwhile, those who supported unification did not view it as happening imminently.

Asking those who believed unification was necessary, 30 percent said they expected it to come in 11 to 20 years, followed by 25.6 percent who believed it would come in six to 10 years and 17.5 percent who believe it will come after 31 years. Others (14.9 percent) said 21 to 30 years, 6.7 percent said they don't know or did not respond and 5.3 percent said within five years.

The respondents who answered 11 to 20 years mostly fall under the 40s to 50s age group, are residents of the Daejeon, Chungcheong provinces and Sejong area, who work in production, technical and labor occupations or are students, who identify themselves as progressive and support the Justice Party.