korean unification studies

There is a very good article at korea.net on economic cooperation and its role in the unification of the two Koreas. Nicole Bastian, a correspondent for the Düsseldorf based Handelsblatt financial newspaper, has written an article that is both realistic and inspiring. The article, entitled ‘Closing economic gap between the Koreas is a good idea’, supports the policy of economic cooperation, based upon (i) economic cooperation being complementary to international efforts with North Korea, and (ii) reciprocity in North Korean efforts – specifically, greater transparency and reliability. She applauds efforts to pursue this goal such as the Mt Geumgang project and the Gaesong Industrial Zone.

However, Bastian does not fall in to the trap of being overly enthusiastic. She notes the difficulties and indeed even the desirability of closing the economic gap if a chance for unification presented itself. As she notes in her closing paragraph, even if efforts to close the economic gap fail, and plans to do so are not achieved, unification must be seized:

…one thing should be clear: how high the economic burden might be, in the end it would not prevent a possible reunification. Preparing the process and trying to lower the economic costs of a reunification by bringing the economic state of the two Koreas closer together is a good idea. But the process cannot be planned in each and every detail. That is another lesson from the German example. As soon as the border lines are open economic disparities would lead to massive migration – and the pressure to reunite. Thus a “reunification of equals” as envisioned by former president Kim Dae-Jung is in my view not realistic in the end. If history allows a unique window of opportunity for reuniting two countries one has to seize the opportunity and leave the planned scenario. That is what Germany did – and that is what Korea would probably do – go for it.

I strongly recommend that you all give it a read, and I hope that voices such as Nicole Bastian’s gain a wider audience in the unification debate. You can also check out Nicole’s blog at the Handelsblatt, which from time to time carries some interesting views on Korean peninsula issues.