Korean Reunjification, School project Options

[BRAdJiPARk]

Hey guys, I have this one school social issues project for English. I chose to do the topic on Korean Reunification. I am arguing on the pro side. I was wondering if you guys knew any good articles, websites or books I can use as reference. OK thnx

[p-opp10]

1) if you search "korea unification" on amazon, a lot of books come up.

2) also try google/yahoo

3) see the the Korean Ministry of Unification website,

click on the english icon at http://www.unikorea.go.kr/

there are many documents available for download there.

[k0r34n jjashik]

you're pro unification? What about the financial ruin it would bring?

[BRAdJiPARk]

Korea could benefit from it in the future. Plus, thousands of families are split apart by the division.

[PervertBurger]

I think that N.Koreans would become 3rd class citizens and be treated very badly...,,,

[RiverPlate4Life]

Re-unification now would cause social and economic chaos. The SK government would have to even out the economic difference between SK and NK by spreading the SK citizen's wealth 10 to 1. Which basically means, we're fvcked.

On top of that, there will be friction between North and South Koreans.

Re-unification should take a backseat with NK becoming progressive like China, rebuild their worthless economy, wait a generation, AND THEN unify.

Unifying now would be pouring gasoline onto a flame.

[Anagram]

I'm all for it.

You guys can cry about inevitable financial ruin and all of that. Fact is, it will happen - undoubtedly! However it will last for... 5 years? 10 years? If you think long term it can only be good.

Having the Koreas divided is an unnatural condition. Kind of like Yugoslavia in reverse (there, they had a bunch of different groups united, and it fell apart).

Honestly - I don't think it's an issue that really needs a lot of facts, figures, and arguments. It's something that has to happen and that's it... Koreans will take their knocks doing it, but that'll be endured and in the end things will stabilize.

Personally, I can't wait 'till the border opens! I'll be the first one there, on my motorbike, ready to go!

[JamesLovesAyumi]

Brad Ji Park: Have a look in the Archives on the BBC website for pictures from those 'Emotional visits' for families seperated. There are a lot of articles from 2000 during the Inter-Korean summit...

news.bbc.co.uk

This post has been edited by JamesLovesAyumi: Mar 10 2005, 05:33 AM

[overcat]

you can draw a parallel with West Germany's re-unification with East-Germany. as by the West's bold political decision, East Germany's currency was exchanged 1 to 1 against West German currency (DEM). the reunification didn't bring ruin to former West Germany, but there are still a lot of unemployed people in the former Eastern Landers. and you have to consider that West Germany's economy was thriving at the time of the reunification (much more powerful than current SK), and today it suffers from economical slowdown (11% unemployment rate, more than its European neighbors).

[Bondeghi]

The difference is West Germany and East Germany's economies differed three to one and the East Germans truly desired to tear down the wall and become LIKE West Germany, there was no question as to who would govern the two countries.

North Korea and South Korea's economies differ 10 to one. An article TODAY in the Joong-Ang Daily newspaper stated that if reunification happened tonight, every single South Korean would have to pay $3,500 dollars extra per year in taxes for over 10 - 15 years. Most South Koreans want reunification on an emotional level, but realistically -- because the north and it's Juche philosophy has run the economy into the ground- when reunification happens the entire world is going to have to chip in and help out monetarily.... to fix KIS and KJI's mistakes ...

The other thing... North Koreans could theoretically not want the style government the South has... we could have some major issues for decades about democracy... unless the South wants to embrace communism... I doubt it.

Re-unification will be romantic for two months as families re-unite then there will be decades of recovery (Germany is still recovering today, and reunification happened 15 years ago)

[kim_jong_il]

http://www.korea-np.co.jp/main/main.aspx (The perspective of DPRK-affiliated Koreans in Japan)

http://www.tongil21.com/ (American-Koreans for national reunification)

http://www.geocities.com/songunpoliticsstu...aryLessons.html (Selected works of marshal kim jong il)

http://www.kimsoft.com/korea/kji-815.htm (Let Us Carry Out The Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung's Instructions For National Reunification)

[doozer3]

KJI -

While I certainly hope that one day the 2 Koreas will become unified under a democratically elected govt. (will take many years before the North is economically or socially able in order to make reunification feasible) -

why don't you concern yourself more with the starving North Koreans (in contrast to your namesake's luxurious lifestyle) or those that are imprisoned in "camps" where your energies may better be of use.

[kim_jong_il]

KJI -

While I certainly hope that one day the 2 Koreas will become unified under a democratically elected govt. (will take many years before the North is economically or socially able in order to make reunification feasible) -

why don't you concern yourself more with the starving North Koreans (in contrast to your namesake's luxurious lifestyle) or those that are imprisoned in "camps" where your energies may better be of use.

I am not Kim Jong Il niether did i ever claim to be him.If you actually read my posts you would've known my purpose.

Secondly the problems of my country is the result of criminal US sanctions which is supposed to "starve" us into submission.

We live peacefully and are free of capitalist corruption.

[doozer3]

KJI -

why don't you concern yourself more with the starving North Koreans (in contrast to your namesake's luxurious lifestyle) or those that are imprisoned in "camps" where your energies may better be of use.

I am not Kim Jong Il niether did i ever claim to be him.If you actually read my posts you would've known my purpose.

Secondly the problems of my country is the result of criminal US sanctions which is supposed to "starve" us into submission.

We live peacefully and are free of capitalist corruption.

The fact that you think that I actually thought you were the "little tyrant" shows how ridiculous your posts are - (note my prior statement - "in contrast to your NAMESAKE'S luxurious lifestyle").

Second, while you may be free of capitalist corruption - you are hardly free from the corruption of the "little tyrant" and his cronies. Under communism, people are supposed to share the work and bounty EQUALLY - but that's hardly the case since the "little tyrant" is enjoying fine imported liquors, other luxuries and corrupt Western entertainment while the majority of his people starve.

But it seems like the people are slowly getting wise to the empty promises of a "socialist paradise".

KJI and his father never really cared for the Korean people - all they really cared for was their hold on power just like any other 2-bit petty tyrant.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/15/internat...ml?pagewanted=1

In the 1960's in the Soviet Union, it was cool to wear blue jeans and listen to rock and roll," said Andrei Lankov, a Russian exchange student in the North at Kim Il Sung University in 1985, who now teaches about North Korea at Kookmin University here in the South. "Today, it is cool for North Koreans to look and behave South Korean, as they do in the television serials. That does not bode well for the long-term survival of the regime."

To crack down on home viewing of imported videotapes, the North Korean police developed the strategy of encircling a neighborhood in the evening, cutting off electricity, then inspecting players to find videotapes stuck inside, according to Young Howard, international coordinator of the Network for North Korean Democracy and Human Rights, a Seoul-based group. Recent defectors have also told Mr. Howard that police cars with loudspeakers have patrolled neighborhoods, warning residents to maintain their "socialist lifestyle" and to shun South Korean speech and clothing and hairstyles, he said.

_____________________________________________________________

Gee - I guess the NK police have nothing better to do than worry about catching people watching Korean dramas.

[JamesLovesAyumi]

"Secondly the problems of my country is the result of criminal US sanctions which is supposed to "starve" us into submission."

No, the average North Korean is starving because of poor harvests, outdated machinery, country isolation, reckless spending by the government on the army - and its ridiculous weapons programme...oh, and making sure Kim Jong-Il has enough luxuries to keep himself happy...

"We live peacefully and are free of capitalist corruption. "

Yes, regular air-drills & constant media propaganda surely make for a peaceful life...
As a socialist kind-of-guy, it's hard for me to say but we're ultimately better off under capitalism. . .

This post has been edited by JamesLovesAyumi: Mar 16 2005, 10:52 AM

[CulinarYI]

re-unification can only come once N.Korea's dictator is dead i believe unless the next dictator is as wacko as he is..south and norths way of thinking is too different and will cause too much conflicts, maybe even make it worse..until Kim jong il is assassinated or dead i think it will be very hard. also if n and s was to unite probably all the north koreans will flock to the south. but i do wish it will happen in my lifetime.

[communistfever]

reunification. so many people have bled and shed thousands of tears since Korea got divided. if we wait another 50 years, the people who are waiting will pass away with the sorrow in their heart. we must reunified, sooner is better than later. in order to reunify, kim jong il must back down on the government system issue. If kim jong il does that, he'll be hailed as a hero to all koreans. please unite... please.

[slackjaw3]

KJI -

While I certainly hope that one day the 2 Koreas will become unified under a democratically elected govt. (will take many years before the North is economically or socially able in order to make reunification feasible) -

why don't you concern yourself more with the starving North Koreans (in contrast to your namesake's luxurious lifestyle) or those that are imprisoned in "camps" where your energies may better be of use.

I am not Kim Jong Il niether did i ever claim to be him.If you actually read my posts you would've known my purpose.

Secondly the problems of my country is the result of criminal US sanctions which is supposed to "starve" us into submission.

We live peacefully and are free of capitalist corruption.

How can you say the U.S. is starving North Korea when then whole North Korean system is based on Juche (self-reliance)?

If your self reliance actually worked then you would be the 'worker's paradise' that you claim to be and not the 'outpost of tyranny' that you actually are.

Its a shame too, clinging to a dying system like a captain going down with his ship. And for what? Pride? Nationalism? A lot of good it does you in the grave.

Its sad. North Korea HAD a chance to be something special. But that time is long since gone.

And the main reason that chance came and went is because you've had not one but TWO meglo-maniacal pedophiles as your leaders.

Only when you admit the wrongs of the past and present can you make the future right.
(that goes for you too Japan!)

[lovezzin]

dont worry, he is just some communist wannabe.......if he was genuine in what he says about north korea, why isnt he there now?
I am neither North or south pro. In fact to be honest i think a LOT of countries should just grow up a little (i.e South AND america) and start taking a less defensive stance towards the north. Follow my countries example (UK) we have set up an embassy in Pyongyang and established official diplomatic relations........
Also, it should be noted that we dont really have any countries that hate us right? so follow our example :P
I have deeply researched into the relations of north and south, I live in the South, People always talk about how the North just keep throwing propaganda at their people, HOWEVER the South AND america do the same in the south. it is just a lot more subtle.......
Kim Jong il is more pro-unification than his father, however there are still his fathers ''buddies'' how are still alive in the north so Kim jong il is actuallly not really in 100% power. I beleive that right now the unification cant happen. i believe that maybe in another generation and a half, it will be. who will take over after kim jong il? YES, the northern people will be treated lesser by the south, but i think this will fade over time. Also, unification should happen as quickly as it can to stop the margin and hatred growing more and more....
ALSO, whoever it was that said families are split by the DMZ, although this is true, Most of those who even have a clue they are related to someone over the line have passed away. My Gf's family is split, however, she doesnt have a clue and now does she particuarly care..... She is the 'typical' family split, where the split is traced back to her grandmothers mother..........can any of you honestly say you are in close contact with any of your families relatives decended form that point in your family? dont thinks o. This shouldnt be so exagerated as it is...........

This post has been edited by lovezzin: Apr 9 2005, 06:37 AM

[EvilAsianDude]

I did the calculations and the economy difference between North and South is 1:16. Compared to East and West Germany 1:3. Germany also started with more money yet a meager 1:3 difference has hurt Germany. Germany’s GDP is actually dropping instead of rising. It dropped -0.1% last year. Even Japan was growing at 2.8%. If the two Koreas were the unify it would spell economic disaster. The government will need an estimated 800 billion to 2000 billion in US dollars to modernize north korea. South Koreas total GDP is only about 900 Billion. 2000 Billion is a lot of money. About 1/5.5 of the US GDP.

Once the evil North Korean government is kicked/killed or surrenders the two Koreas shall open up to each other in trade. However North korea will still exist. Only difference will be that South Korean politicians will be in charge. Laws will be set up to prevent mass migrations of North Koreans seeking work in South Korea. However visiting families will be alright as tourists. They should also pass a law making it illegal for North Koreans to be teachers for the next 30 years. Educators from south Korea will teach the North the right material rather than BS propaganda. South Korea and the world will help raise North Korea until its economy its GDP per capita is atleast 75% of the Souths. Then unification will be possible without too much damage to the South.

Either that or we invade Japan and take all its resources lol
J/K.

I cant wait until North Korea finally opens up, ill make sure I bring a camera to record all the priceless expressions on the North after realizing how much BS their government has fed them.