Kyongbok Palace in Seoul, South Korea
The whole Korean peninsula is buzzing with the excitement of unification. Truth is, the two Koreas haven't even been unified yet. Some policies and measures are being taken for possible unification, but there have also been reports that the process is slowing down. The third meeting for lost families, which had been scheduled for the year 2000 is now being pushed into the next year because of certain delays. Furthermore, though many North Koreans have come (around 100) to the South on the December 2nd meeting, they have done nothing but praise North Korea and its wonderful leader for giving them jobs and a home (see article).
Unification can be hard for many North Koreans as well as South Koreans once it actually happens. For North Koreans who have escaped to the South, though at first they are mentioned in newspapers and offered a home and sufficient food, as the years go by, they must adapt to the ways of the South and find their own means of livelihood (see article).
Moreover, the culture, way of life and the attitude of the two Koreas are almost opposite. Though the two group of people may speak the same language and share the same history, the last 50 years that they have been separated has created a gap wider than those of other countries. To overcome such differences cannot be easy. Take, for example, the case of Germany when the east and west were unified. Even now there are constant conflicts arising between the two sides. The unification of Korea will not be any easier, if not even more difficult.
Economically, Korea will
fare better in the world as one united country rather than two separate
small countries with separate economies. As the South is more economically
developed while the North is richer in resources, with unification, Korea
will be economically stronger in competing with other countries.
However, these economic improvements are only in the long run. Before
such an economy emerges in Korea, the social and political conflicts of
reunification must be solved
(see
article).
