Poll: Most Americans support using U.S. troops if North Korea invades South

Aug. 7 (UPI) -- A new poll by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs shows that more than 60 percent of Americans support using U.S. troops in a conflict if North Korea invades South Korea.

The CCGA said 62 percent of those questioned support deploying U.S. forces in that scenario -- compared to just 47 percent who answered that way in 2014 and 2015. This year's poll marks the first time more than half of respondents voiced support for involvement of U.S. forces since CCGA began polling the issue in 1990.

The survey also shows that about 90 percent of those questioned believe North Korea should not be allowed to create nuclear weapons, and that Americans overwhelmingly support sanctions against North Korea and businesses that do business with the hermit kingdom.

The United States imposed tougher sanctions against North Korea last week. About 75 percent of those polled said North Korea's nuclear program is a critical threat facing the United States.

"While sanctions have yet to slow North Korea's progress, increasing sanctions is the option that receives the most support from the American public [76 percent]. On this, there is strong partisan agreement. While 84 percent of Republicans support this approach, 76 percent of Democrats agree," the CCGA wrote in a statement. "But there are partisan differences on these potential responses, most notably on airstrikes. A majority of Republicans [54 percent] support such airstrikes versus 33 percent of Democrats. Republicans [37 percent] are also more likely than Democrats [24 percent] to favor sending U.S. troops to destroy [North Korea's nuclear facilities]."

On North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, 91 percent of respondents view him unfavorably and 6 percent view him favorably, the poll shows.

The CCGA poll comes after North Korea launched an improved ballistic missile with intercontinental range late last month -- Pyongyang's second missile launch in less than a month.