A New Asia: Building One Korea?

Far East Asia, the cornucopia of tomorrow’s economy, has long been racked with conflicts, ranging from territorial disputes, nuclear crises, and human rights abuse. However, there may be a single and surprisingly simple solution for US concerns in the area: the reunification of North and South Korea. Here’s how.

Russian advancement: Recently, American leaders have imposed strict sanctions on Russia in the fear that Putin will turn his gaze next on neighboring Ukraine or East Asia, where the stakes are high for a face-off with the US. Historically, Russia held a significant amount of power over North Korea, setting up its comrade’s government in 1945, and a “peaceful nuclear energy program” in the early 1960’s. Even though present-day Russian interactions with the North have grown chilly, a stronger Korean nation would warn off intrusions in the area, especially if it was backed by the US.

East Asia, with the divided Korean peninsula at its heart.

Nuclear threat: President Obama has stated repeatedly that complete nuclear disarmament is one of the main goals of his presidency. Even today, North Korea poses a threat to all countries in a wide missile range, forcing the US to tighten military security in the area. If the Koreas were united and North Korea disarmed, US troops would be granted more flexibility to address other regions of concern, and bordering global powers would be able to focus more on reviving their failing economies, versus boosting military force.

China: China has long been North Korea’s connection to the outside world, yet even it recognizes that continued relations with the closed regime are detrimental. The US has been gearing towards increased dialogue and leverage in the Chinese market, but conflicting views on the North Korean issue have been a stickler in negotiations (also in the Security Council). By playing on our shared goals of denuclearizing the Northern state, Korean reunification could be an opportunity to prove that cooperation is possible. If it means a halt in the flow of North Korean refugees across the border, Chinese opposition to a gradual disarmament and reunification is unlikely to take root.

China has long been North Korea's connection to the outside world.

Human rights: Earlier this month, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights published a report highlighting the shocking lives of North Korean citizens. Especially in political prisons, where children are on average three inches shorter than their Southern counterparts, living conditions almost mirror those of Nazi-enforced concentration camps. In the process of reunification, South Korea and international aid organizations could finally reach out to the regime’s victims, and accomplish a key aspect of the UN’s millennium goals. From reunification, perhaps other Tier 3 list countries will take the hint, and increase efforts to abolish human rights abuse.

Japan: Probably the US’s closest ally in Pacific Asia, this country has been cause for great headache in recent times due to the controversial actions of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In a nation-wide campaign to recreate Japan’s imperialistic past, Mr. Abe pushed for Japan’s re-admittance as a “normal state,” with the ability to invade other countries, freezing relations with neighboring China and South Korea. Yet we must remember that Japan is tormented by a disaster-prone history with nuclear energy, and it’s not likely to risk an attack by North Korea without some form of self-defense. If reunification is the surest path to denuclearization in the Korean peninsula, then perhaps it’s the only way to talk Japan out of aggravating its neighbors. What with the Sino-Japanese tussle over islands in the East China Sea, a peaceful Japanese state would prevent full-out war between an American ally and a hopeful ally-to-be.

Korea: The main actors in the plot, North and South Korea both gain significantly from becoming one. In the short term, the costs of reinvigorating the northern economy could cut away up to 7% of South Korea’s current yearly GDP, while also fragmenting North Korean society as it has existed for the past seventy years. But it’s important to remember that before the disastrous 1900s, the Koreans shared 5000 years of history and culture. For decades, families separated by the 38th parallel have waited for the chance to glimpse their quickly aging relatives in scheduled family reunions. Within forty years of reunification, the combination of North Korea’s rich mineral deposits and human labor with South Korea’s technology-based economy could result in a powerful new member of the G-7. North Korea is a land of opportunity currently denied to foreign investment, and it could easily be an incredible source of capital to the South Korea, US, and participating powers. Without having to spend millions of dollars on border security, both Koreas could eliminate their mandatory military service, and introduce younger generations into the work force three years earlier. (The US also currently invests significant amounts of money and troops to protect South Korea.)

Today, the 38th parallel between the two Koreas is the most heavily guarded border in the world. But reunification is a clearly plausible future, if firmly supported by the United States. In the Korean War, South Korea was supported by the 21 different countries in the United Nations peacekeeping forces, where American troops made up 95% of the soldiers. Guided by the US mission, South Koreans were able to achieve the impossible and successfully defend itself from Communist takeover. If Americans and our government actively promote Korean reunification, other countries will join the cause, and what was once impossible will become the future: one Korea.

 

The future of one Korea is within our sight.

*The Treaty of San Francisco, signed at the end of WWII, mandates that Japan can only possess a standing army for defensive purposes.

**A system of rating governments for their efforts to prevent trafficking, established by the International Labor Organization (ILO). Countries in Tier 3 are subject to sanctions for not demonstrating effort to combat human rights abuse.