Unification is about Korean identity, not just costs and benefits, visiting scholar says
By Jung Min-ho
The prospects of Korean unification depend in large part on whether South Koreans really want it and are willing to reach out to the right international partners, according to an Indian scholar.
Sandip Kumar Mishra, a professor of Asian studies at the University of Delhi, was in Seoul at the invitation of the Institute for Unification Education to speak on Korean unification from an international perspective.
Between May 26 and June 13, he delivered about 20 lectures, addressing government officials, professors, researchers, high school teachers and students.
"Japan says it wants Korean unification," Mishra said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. "But in reality, it is concerned that a united Korea will be stronger."
In Mishra's view, the South Korean government has relied too much on major powers such as the United States, China, Japan and Russia to resolve issues with North Korea and denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. Those countries, he believes, have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo and may not want a united Korea.
"China is afraid that Korean companies, which are investing huge sums in China, will move to North Korea once the South and the North are united," he said.
The United States wants the nation to remain divided, he added, as a pretext to keep its military presence and political influence in the region.
"The elites of North Korea clearly do not want it either," Mishra said. "If unification happens, they will have to suffer. They may go to prison."
He also said the six-party talks were focused on the nuclear issue, not the unification of the two Koreas, and advised the South Korean government to reach out to countries with no vested interests in a certain outcome.
Such partners might include India, Indonesia, Canada and European Union members.
"These countries have some relationship with North Korea and a very friendly relationship with South Korea," he said. "Because they do not have their own objectives concerning Korean unification, their cooperation will be very helpful."
Though it may be difficult to convince potential partners to cooperate on unification, Mishra said the Seoul government could start by emphasizing a common political vision for Asia.
Unlike China and Japan, which are vying to exert more influence in the region, he said many other countries would like to see a "multipolar Asia," in which no single country dominated the region economically or politically.
He pointed to India as an example.
"India needs a strong Korea because we have a common vision for the region," he said. "Indians are interested in helping Korean unification, if they can."
Ties between South Korea and India, previously focused on economic cooperation, expanded to politics when the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement took effect in 2010, according to Mishra.
The South Korean government could pursue similar deals with many other countries, he said, although he warned that the six-party members might not like it.
Considering the obstacles, Mishra stressed that unification would only happen if South Koreans wanted it badly enough. Another challenge he mentioned was the indifference of a younger generation of South Koreans. Matters could get worse, he warned, unless Seoul renewed its efforts to educate its own people.
"The best way to get South Koreans interested in unification is to provide sufficient and correct information," he said. "Negative attitudes around the huge costs of unification dominate the media coverage, and a comprehensive debate on the issue is not happening."
However, he is optimistic that unification will happen some day as long as Koreans keep it in their aspirations.
"Korean unification should not be looked at through the narrow lens of costs and benefits," he said. "It is an issue of Korean identity, which was divided by outside powers, and the journey and success of Korea would be incomplete without unification."
The Institute for Unification Education, which hosted Mishra and organized his lectures, is building a network of unification experts across the globe. Through annual workshops and other events, the institute hopes to raise awareness about Korean unification and dispel misconceptions.
By Jung Min-ho
 |
| Sandip Kumar Mishra, a professor at the University of Delhi, speaks during a recent interview in Seoul. / Korea Times photo by Jung Min-ho |
Sandip Kumar Mishra, a professor of Asian studies at the University of Delhi, was in Seoul at the invitation of the Institute for Unification Education to speak on Korean unification from an international perspective.
Between May 26 and June 13, he delivered about 20 lectures, addressing government officials, professors, researchers, high school teachers and students.
"Japan says it wants Korean unification," Mishra said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. "But in reality, it is concerned that a united Korea will be stronger."
In Mishra's view, the South Korean government has relied too much on major powers such as the United States, China, Japan and Russia to resolve issues with North Korea and denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. Those countries, he believes, have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo and may not want a united Korea.
"China is afraid that Korean companies, which are investing huge sums in China, will move to North Korea once the South and the North are united," he said.
The United States wants the nation to remain divided, he added, as a pretext to keep its military presence and political influence in the region.
"The elites of North Korea clearly do not want it either," Mishra said. "If unification happens, they will have to suffer. They may go to prison."
He also said the six-party talks were focused on the nuclear issue, not the unification of the two Koreas, and advised the South Korean government to reach out to countries with no vested interests in a certain outcome.
Such partners might include India, Indonesia, Canada and European Union members.
"These countries have some relationship with North Korea and a very friendly relationship with South Korea," he said. "Because they do not have their own objectives concerning Korean unification, their cooperation will be very helpful."
Though it may be difficult to convince potential partners to cooperate on unification, Mishra said the Seoul government could start by emphasizing a common political vision for Asia.
Unlike China and Japan, which are vying to exert more influence in the region, he said many other countries would like to see a "multipolar Asia," in which no single country dominated the region economically or politically.
He pointed to India as an example.
"India needs a strong Korea because we have a common vision for the region," he said. "Indians are interested in helping Korean unification, if they can."
Ties between South Korea and India, previously focused on economic cooperation, expanded to politics when the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement took effect in 2010, according to Mishra.
The South Korean government could pursue similar deals with many other countries, he said, although he warned that the six-party members might not like it.
Considering the obstacles, Mishra stressed that unification would only happen if South Koreans wanted it badly enough. Another challenge he mentioned was the indifference of a younger generation of South Koreans. Matters could get worse, he warned, unless Seoul renewed its efforts to educate its own people.
"The best way to get South Koreans interested in unification is to provide sufficient and correct information," he said. "Negative attitudes around the huge costs of unification dominate the media coverage, and a comprehensive debate on the issue is not happening."
However, he is optimistic that unification will happen some day as long as Koreans keep it in their aspirations.
"Korean unification should not be looked at through the narrow lens of costs and benefits," he said. "It is an issue of Korean identity, which was divided by outside powers, and the journey and success of Korea would be incomplete without unification."
The Institute for Unification Education, which hosted Mishra and organized his lectures, is building a network of unification experts across the globe. Through annual workshops and other events, the institute hopes to raise awareness about Korean unification and dispel misconceptions.
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