Reunification on the Korean Peninsula: Is Social-reunification Feasible?

Abstract

Détente is sweeping across the Korean Peninsula for the first time in over a decade following policies of engagement by both the North and South. How long and successful this détente will be is yet to be seen, however, it has once again sparked calls for reunification. Whilst the reunification of the two Koreas has been well-discussed most literature and discussions follow the same ideas; absorption of the North into the South and discussions on the economic and political repercussions. This paper, on the other hand, analyses the social divide between the two Koreas suggesting that it is reaching a point of inelasticity, namely a point where if the divide stretches even further the two peoples will never be able to successfully reunite, regardless of how reunification occurs. As such, in the case of a German-like, "surprise reunification" the governments must prepare a social reunification policy in advance.