Frogs In a Well: What is our view of the world?

In a society where face-to-face communication has become a thing of the past, we are constantly hounded by conflicts resulting from misunderstanding and lack of empathy. The story of 'the frogs in a well' (originating from a Korean folktale: '우물 안 개구리') depicts the predicament of several frogs who stare up at the little circle of sky above their heads, and imagine it to be the entire universe. Limited by the stone walls around them, the amphibians have no desire leave the safety of their "haven," but they lose the opportunity at a life of incredible freedom in the great world just outside the well. 

Our greatest challenge today is to prevent ourselves from becoming trapped in this narrow worldview, and ponder on the perspective behind each country's actions, regardless of their implications at first sight. Imagine the outcome if the Taiwanese and Chinese people stopped to place themselves in each others' shoes, or if the US considered the historical and cultural significance of nuclear development before pressuring nations like Iran or North Korea. Through this "blog column," my goal is to introduce different perspectives on controversial current events, so as to extend deeper understanding of world happenings, and hopefully reveal a little more of the sky. Before our loyalty to a single nation, we are first and foremost citizens of the world, so never let the image of a united and peaceful Earth fade from your sight.

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.

Choco Pies and Cup Noodles: the Keys to Peace in East Asia

Chocolate and marshmallow sandwiched into a pie. Cheap noodles packaged with instant sauce additions and toppings. For many people across the globe, choco pies and cup noodles are a coveted snack, cheap to buy and easy to eat. However, in impoverished countries such as North Korea, these food items are a forbidden delicacy, and symbolize the wealth of our modern society, a world they have never known.

            Immediately following its establishment after the Korean War, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea(North Korea) was almost completely sealed from all outside influences, allowing no foreigners to enter its borders. For a period of time, it seemed the regime would survive with aid from its Communist allies, but as this supply began to dwindle, a disastrous famine struck the entire country. In the 1990s, over 1 million North Koreans perished from lack of food and the indifference of its exclusive ruling party. At the same time North Koreans were quietly starving beneath the dear leader, their neighbor to the south was reaching the peak of an economic miracle. By the start of the 21^st century, South Korea had gone from one of the poorest countries to the thirteenth wealthiest economy in the world, acting as a donor to countries that had given it aid only decades before. In a desperate response and grasp for power, then North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il set aside all remaining supplies for the military, and redoubled efforts to begin a nuclear program. This act, although highly unfortunate, eventually became the common ground for the Kaesong Industrial Complex, a joint venture by the governments of North and South Korea that employed 53,000 North Korean workers. Although all wages were paid directly to the North Korean government, workers would receive “bonuses” of cup noodles and choco pies (the North Korean government forbid South Korean companies from giving monetary bonuses to their citizens). These small gifts were astonishing to the North Koreans, for they represented an unknown life in a society where such delicious food was commonplace and easy to obtain. As the delicacies began to find their way into North Korean markets, they became as valued as hard currency, becoming a bargaining chip for basic necessities and the face of growing dissent among North Koreans. The introduction of these foods would usher in a wave of illegal trade with nearby countries (i.e. China), and an increased awareness of the wealth of the outside world, in comparison to their own communist “utopia.”

Choco pies: a coveted snack food in both North and South Korea

This realization and the “money” brought in by sale of South Korean snacks could be the inspiration necessary to kindle a civilian coup de tat within the North Korean monopoly. As no foreign country is in a position to even suggest reform in North Korea, government overthrow can only occur at the hands of the people, leading to potential reunification in the Korean peninsula, and elimination of a serious nuclear threat. The American public has long focused its attention on the outrageous actions of Kim Jong Un, making him a household name. Yet, as we continue to hear of the sudden murder of the dear leader’s uncle, or the extensive wardrobe of Kim Jong Un’s wife, thousands of North Koreans die from human rights abuses and harsh labor in political prison camps. By providing North Koreans with more choco pies and cup noodles, we can refocus our North Korean spotlight away from the “dear leader” and to his “dear people,” and supply the people of the “hermit kingdom” with a symbol to inspire the revolution of the century. Choco pies and cup noodles for freedom!

Shin ramen black: the most popular cup noodle brand in South Korea, is gaining wide popularity throughout the North and the rest of the world today.

Pope Francis: Catching the Wave of Catholicism in Korea

Pope Francis recently captured the attention of the world, specifically Koreans, when he announced that he would be visiting Korea, his first trip to an Asian country, in August of this year, commemorating International Youth Day. This move is long overdue, especially due to the great rise in Catholicism across Asia and in Asian youth. The pope's announcement was greeted with great excitement by Korean communities, even outside the religious sense. But why all this fuss? As the first pope from a developing nation, and a powerful advocate for the poor, the pontiff has garnered great international fame as the leader to guide the Catholic Church toward change.

The pope's announcement of his Asia trip (Korea & back) came on his return flight to Rome from Brazil.

It’s a busy afternoon in Buenos Aires, and the subways are packed with travelling Argentinians. All are deeply occupied in their own business, pouring over maps or talking loudly into phones over the screech of wheels, and almost none bother to converse with the strangers around them. Amid the noise and bustle, an old man sits quietly in one of the railway cars. Set in a weary face, his haggard, deep-set eyes scan the other passengers, and a faint smile plays along his lips and crinkles the corners of his eyes. During the short subway ride, hundreds of people walk by the aging man, not noticing or caring that he wears a clerical collar, casually angled downward. Only after a photo of the scene is printed six years later for TIME’s ‘Person of the Year,’ people realize they were passing in the presence of future Pope Francis.

In his first year as Pope, Jorge Bergoglio has made clear that he intends to serve and live with the needy, a mission both reflected in his actions and written across his facial features. One of the most striking aspects of the pontiff are his dark, serious eyes. Whether he is delivering a homily at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, or praying for the needy in the streets, his piercing gaze searches specifically for all those who are ignored by society. Early this year, the Pope celebrated his birthday in the company of unexpected guests: three homeless men (and their dog), whom he invited in for breakfast from the streets of the Vatican. Likewise, Pope Francis has tried continuously to target groups in need, regardless of the controversy it sparks. In one of his most famous photos, he is pictured blessing the head of a man horribly disfigured by disease, his own head bowed with love and empathy for the victimized man. In all of his pictures, Pope Francis is portrayed as a strong-minded champion for the needy, and his all-seeing gaze is only further strength for a lifelong commitment to the poor. 

2018 Winter Olympics: Pyeongchang or Pyongyang?

Earlier this week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) released a report that the 2018 Winter Olympics, originally set for Pyeongchang, South Korea, were being relocated north to the North Korean capital of Pyeongyang. The IOC’s decision came amid growing concerns on the wisdom of hosting an event so close to North Korea, especially after the security issues in Sochi. However, in a press conference regarding the decision, IOC president Thomas Bach announced, “By giving North Korea a major role in such an international competition, we hope it will take on more responsibility as an international player, and open up future conversations with their government.” Because much construction has already been completed in Pyeongchang, the two cities agreed to divide up the facilities, leaving the main Olympic village in the south, and moving the mountainous sliding sports to North Korea’s new Masik Ski Resort.  In secret visits to Pyeongyang before last week’s announcement, inspectors were reportedly well-pleased with the quality of the facilities, saying “[The facilities’] qualifications will easily meet the high standards of the international community.” Construction of a high speed rail between the two sites is scheduled to begin later this month, which will reduce commute time across the border to one hour. But will this temporary alliance really be possible?

The new Masik Ski Resort in Pyongyang, North Korea.

According to the Unified Korean Olympic committee, the answer is a definite “yes.”  In the original bid for the 2018 Olympics, the Pyeongchang commission reported, “[We hope] this event will be a significant milestone in the reconciliation and reunification process between North and South Korea” (The Conversation). Surprisingly, the single purpose of carrying out a huge operation has brought the two states to friendlier terms than ever before. At joint planning sessions, the outright hostility present at past talks is nowhere to be seen, and officials on both sides are cautiously optimistic for the future of Korean relations. As a side note, state-run media responded to doubts about the country’s ability to host the thousands of visitors accompanying the Olympics. Citing “the miracle of its nuclear state,” the secretary-general of the national ski association promised, “If we can make nuclear weapons and rockets, we can build an Olympic village.” Judging by the surprising responsiveness of the North Korean government, this could be one small step toward a safer and non-nuclear North Korean state. All that remains now is to see the nation fulfill its promise.

Construction and development of Olympic facilities is well underway in Pyeongchang.

Korean Reunification: An Operation in Progress

It’s been 70 years since the division of the Korean peninsula, yet the two countries are no closer to reaching a mutual agreement than they were at the height of the Korean War. From the inception of a separate government in 1945, South Koreans have been increasingly vocal in their desire to be reunified with fellow countrymen, particularly as the US-backed schism forced its way between relatives. However, as the pain of family division has faded from people’s memories, public support of reunification has been replaced by the rationality of the next generation, who emphasizes continuously the expected costs of such a venture. As of today, South Korea’s finance ministry has placed the predicted price of reunification at 7% of the country’s yearly GDP for the next 10 years. Though the upfront costs will cause a serious dip in Korea’s growing economy, the expected benefits from natural resources, labor, and overland access to neighboring countries are projected to ameliorate the damage in the long-term. In addition, reunification will lead to the elimination of a major nuclear threat, and subsequent decrease in required military presence will give South Korea greater flexibility to focus efforts elsewhere. With young professionals viewing the task as more of a financial burden than an imminent future though, the prospects of consolidation are very slim.

Despite such rising apathy, efforts to promote increased dialogue between the two nations are continually on the rise. Earlier this month, family reunions between Koreans of the North and South occurred for the first time since 2010, a symbolic gesture carried out only with support from the Kim regime. The leaders of both nations have also spoken on more actively pursuing interests for renewed relations. In his New Year’s Day address, Kim Jong Un expressed hopes for better ties with the South, while President Park Geun-hye recently made headlines by calling reunification a “jackpot.”

South Korean president Park Geun-hye recently made headlines by calling reunification "a jackpot."

Reunification, though conducted with a highly capricious regime, will positively impact not only the Korean peninsula, but all those nations with economic ties to the Republic of Korea. The last prime minister of East Germany recently compared the situation in Korea to that faced by his home country decades before, and offered both unique knowledge and words of advice. At the time of the crumbling of the Berlin Wall, the GDP difference between the East and West was at a ratio of 1:3. From the debilitating effects of this gap, Germans are still recovering from inequality and imbalance between the formerly divided nations. Korea faces a far greater crisis with an estimated ratio of over 30:1, but the minister suggested that with a focus on social and economic integration, Koreans would be able to reap the long-time benefits of union.

Kim Jong Un, the chairman of the Communist Workers' Party, has also expressed interest in a reunified state.

Korea, As One!

The crowd waited with bated breath. It was the 1991 World Table Tennis Championships, and the first place medal for the women’s team event was about to be announced. Over the loudspeakers, a booming voice proclaimed, “Korea!” The entire audience rose as one, roaring and cheering as two young women, from the North and South, stepped onto the podium together, tearfully lifting their clasped hands as a plain flag with the Korean peninsula outlined in blue unfurled behind them. There was no trace of the hostility that existed between the two Koreas as the other team members piled joyously onto their champions. Fans in the stands and watching from home were one in spirit as they sobbed with pride for their country, Korea. Several hours later, the tears were falling even more heavily, tinged with shock and anguish, as teammates were torn from each other’s embrace to return to their respective countries. Despite the victory they had won for Korea as one country, the strictly-enforced division between the nations was still present, and the athletes never saw each other again.

As One, based on the true story of a united North & South Korean table tennis team, and their 1991 Championship.

The real Korean table tennis team at the 1991 games in Chiba, Japan.

Though this is only a scene from the truth-based movie, As One (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2328503/), the real tragedy of Korean separation has been a shadow in the heart of every Korean for the past 70 years. Only last month, the same sudden euphoria and pain were mirrored in the reactions of South Korean seniors, who were able to meet their family members in the North for a few minutes, in the first of such reunions since 2010. Korean leaders from both states have expressed the priority of reunification as one of the main goals of their administration, but unless this process is carried out soon, such scenes can only continue to prey at Koreans’ peace of mind.

Today, the two Koreas have grown so far from one another both socially and economically, that a reunification at any time would result in costs vastly outweighing the German model. Due to its serious impact on the US and other neighboring countries, the process is not one that can be carried out with cooperation between the two Koreas alone. Recognizing their role in the two Koreas’ future, world leaders converged in Seoul last Monday for the 5^th annual Asian Leadership Conference. From former-president George W Bush, to the last prime minister of East Germany, and English professor, Adam Johnson, 63 innovators spoke on the theme “One Korea, New Asia,” and why reunification needs both international attention and support. In his keynote address, Mr. Bush opened the discussion with an appeal to the international community on the necessity of a union, and its likelihood of occurring with support from the US, China, and other global superpowers. This need and how it could be carried out was further undermined from the different perspectives of former prime ministers of Australia and East Germany (Ms. Julia Gillard and Mr. Lothar de Maiziere, respectively), who through their own experiences in national relations with the two Koreas, spoke on key obstacles to the task. Participants could register for a special lecture by local Stanford professor Adam Johnson, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for his novel, The Orphan Master’s Son, a story of an orphan boy’s struggles in North Korea. After numerous visits to the closed regime in the North, Mr. Johnson highlighted the need to focus on the voiceless North Korean population, for whom “it’s illegal… to interact with a foreigner visiting the country.” Whether it was through debates between the foreign ministers of Korea, Japan, and China, insight provided by the former ASEAN secretary-general (Surin Pitsuwan), or investment advice from American business mogul Jim Rogers, participants were exposed to a new future for the Korean peninsula,

In the 1991 World Table Tennis Championships, Koreans embraced their shared heritage to enter the world arena under a single flag, emblazoned with a map of the Korean peninsula. Though this was only a single step in the obstacle-strewn path toward reunification, the future of union has never been brighter. No matter the difficulties of an uncompliant North, the US must set a foundation of support and promotion for union. Then who knows? Four years from now, we may be facing the re-introduction of a united Korean flag, this time waving from the host podium at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.