Union is strength, not weakness

Dear editor,

I read an Oct. 6 editorial, “German reunification,” with great curiosity and enthusiasm. It was well received for adopting a cautious approach toward the unification process of South and North Korea which will be inevitable.

The leadership in both countries should sit together with experts whose wisdom needs to be utilized for the great cause.

In my humble opinion, there is no logic and rationale for a “one country, two system” formula floated in your editorial. It is not in good taste and may have long-term implications both in the economic and non-economic fields.

To be more dynamic and pragmatic in successful unification of Korea, there are certainly lessons to be learnt from the hasty currency unification which may prove to be very costly for South Korea.

The leadership needs to be innovative which means doing things differently to make a possibility from the impossible. Innovative leaders grow a small idea into a fantastic opportunity. They convert problems into opportunities. They have hindsight, foresight and insight.

We need convex lens leadership with a shared vision by bringing people together instead of concave lens leadership which divides people on irrelevant issues of no importance for the public at large.

The idea of an inter-Korean economic community with respective political systems floated in your editorial has merit as a temporary arrangement but needs to be examined very carefully by the stakeholders.

There is certainly a case for mental level development in thinking process of the leaders of all shades and creeds who should understand, analyze and interpret all the aspects of unification with a sense of responsibility toward the people who are certainly going to benefit. After all union is strength and not weakness for Korea in general and people in particular.

Dr. M. M. Goel Professor of Indian economy Graduate School of International and Area Studies, the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul. mmgoel2001@yahoo.co.in