독일 통일과정에서의 갈등사례가 한반도에 주는 시사점

Abstract

Germany shared similar circumstances in many aspects up until reunification. This study examines the conflict management measures which was taken during the German reunification process and identifies the lessons from the German experience, and what its implications are in preparing the future reunification of Korea. For the social integration of two societies, Germany sought to advance mutual understanding by driving reconciliation and cooperation policies. An early military integration helped to maintain the peace intact and the education program which was designed to convert East Germans into democratic nationals successfully served its role. While East/West Germany had not experienced a brutal civil war, unlike South/North Korea, they still suffered from the aftermath of reunification. What if South/North Korea emerge together without the preparation of post-unification issues?Therefore the aftermath and various conflicts found during the unilaterally absorbing unification of Germany demonstrate an idea that Korea should conduct an in-depth study regarding those issues and find solutions for its own sake. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Korean War which resulted in two confronting regimes. In order to minimize the conflict between the South and the North, a long-term reunification policy must be set and the discussion regarding reunification should be evolved into a public consensus through democratic means. Furthermore, constant efforts should be made so that the North Korean society overcome its isolatist lock-out state from the rest of the international community. The example of German reunification provides an important reference that an ultimate unification must be based on the social, economic, political,systematic and military integration, which can be accomplished only through mutual understanding in order to minimize possible troubles and side effects of the reunification process.