최근 통일사례가 한반도 통일방안에 주는 함의-독일, 베트남, 예멘 통일사례를 중심으로-

Abstract

In the inter-Korean summit, President Moon said, “We will not pursue absorption unification and will not pursue artificial reunification.” However, our Constitution states that “national reunification” is our mission. There are three ways for Korea to pursue unification. The first is peaceful reunification by agreement between the two Koreas. The second is the way in which South Korea absorbs the North when it collapses. The third is a plan to fight back and unify by force when North Korea invades to south. Fortunately, we can learn lessons from three countries, including Germany, Vietnam and Yemen, who have recently achieved unification. Germany was unified by consensus as the East Germany collapsed, Vietnam was reunified by war, Yemen first achieved equal unification by consensus, and eventually unified by war. The lessons learned from these cases are the following seven. 1. Unification should be pursued peacefully but thoroughly prepared. 2. We must maintain friendly relations with neighboring countries. 3. Socio-cultural heterogeneity should be minimized by promoting inter-Korean cooperation. 4. Support economic development of North Korea and reduce the economic gap between North and South. 5. Ensure the honorable retreat of North Korean leadership. 6. Plan for reduction of North Korean military, intelligence agencies, police, and civil servants. 7. It should be systematically and publicly prepared through national consensus on unification. Considering these lessons, we must prepare thoroughly for reunification. If the two Koreans achieve unification, it is necessary to minimize trial and error and reunify all members of the nation to enjoy harmony. To do so, politics, economy, social culture, and military integration should be given priority.