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ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
Impact of Corean Unification
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:52:42 PM)
t's been over a decade since the Iron Curtain came crashing down in Europe. The Bamboo Curtain is little more than a quaint phrase. Yet the Cold War remains very much alive on the Corean peninsula.
Across a 186-mile DMZ glare opposing armies collectively totaling 1.7 million. By all reckoning the Pyongyang regime should have become ideological roadkill following the collapse of communism. Instead, it remains an impregnable roadblock to the economic integration of East Asia, the world's fastest-growing region.
How can an economic nonentity be such a roadblock?
Consider its location at what should have been the crossroads of East Asia. With 56% of the peninsula's land mass, North Corea separates on one side the world's greatest market and labor pool (China) and the biggest reserve of natural resources (Sibera) from, on the other, two of the world's leading technological and manufacturing nations (Japan and South Corea).
But for Pyongyang's intransigence Seoul would already be linked by railroads and superhighways to Beijing, Moscow, Berlin, Paris and London. All those cities would also be linked to Tokyo via a bridge across the 126-mile strait dividing Shimonoseki from Pusan. The savings in shipping cost and time alone could amount to tens of billions of dollars a year. Such a trans-Eurasian land link would accelerate the cultural and economic integration of not only East Asia, but the world. In the process, the Corean peninsula would shed the burden of financing the world's most heavily fortified frontier and become the center of the global economy.
That's the vision dancing before the eyes of farsighted statesmen and business leaders pushing for the political leaps of faith needed to keep Pyongyang taking its unsteady baby steps toward opening North Corea.
But skeptics and pessimists abound. Even a loose confederation with the North would only burden and destabilize South Corea's economy and political system, they argue. For decades to come the impact on the global economy would be entirely negative as investors and customers begin shunning the uncertainties, denying capital and trading partners to hundreds of world-class Corean manufacturers. The ultimate result, argue the naysayers, would be to throw a monkey wrench into an alignment that has allowed three decades of strong growth for East Asia.
What is the likely impact of Corean unification?
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Discussions posted during the past year remain available for browsing.
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
I Ching,
I did not question whether or not the Cultural Revolution was good or bad, save that for morality debate. My question concerned the minds being malleable statement. You highlight that the transformation occured within a generation's time, my question to you is, "Does this not indicate that the minds of the Chinese people were easily malleable?"
Oh, I must thank you for your advice concerning the possible dilemna that Korean Americans may face, but I do hope that you do not mind if I present you with a little advise of my own in relation to this hypothetical scenario. You should consider purchasing a large American flag and a Chinese flag as well (maybe two of each if you can afford them or you could draw one or both) - while some Americans can tell the difference between Chinese and Koreans, there are many who can not accomplish this task. It would be a shame if someone were to mistake you for being a Korean.
Lucky Strike
Tuesday, January 14, 2003 at 01:03:44 (PST)
[68.14.109.217]
huu76,
--You're foolish if you think the Russian will get involved militarily.--
All I'm saying is, "there is a possibility". Off course, may people have different view of how it will look like. But that is just one secenario. It's true that China doesn't want North Korea to reject the non-profileration treaty. It will effect them, and it will affect them if there is a war. It's one of their [China's] concern and also the world's.
You know what surprise me, is that I also heard that North Korea has long-range missle [that can possibily reach north america]. This is something I doubt, but a militarly analysis man said it. He also said that North Korea in a few more month will have several more nuclear bombs.
I also think that it was Bush who got them [NK] angry by that "Axis of Evil speech". Some people in Europe believed Bush is the biggest threat to international peace.
Civil War
Monday, January 13, 2003 at 10:00:33 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
Geoff DB,
"George Bush is an inept statesman and political leader"
Amen to that. Who are the Democratic candidates in 2 years.
Hopefully the moron doesn't start WWIII before he is out of office.
huu76,
American firepower has caused us more problems than it has solved in Asia after WWII. Vietnam, China, and Korea all became communist states eventually. So all our money and lives used to fight these conflicts were in retrospect wasted.
England is in total decline after it gave up colonialism. America is in decline because it is trying to redefine colonialism in 21st century terms.
AC Dropout
Monday, January 13, 2003 at 09:31:40 (PST)
[24.136.115.189]
huu76,
You wrote, “China’s got to be embarrassed as hell being associated with those nuts.”
Actually, not really, North Korea makes China looks really good and rational in comparison, if you know what I mean.
You wrote, “What SK youth needs is a good war to show them who’s with them and who’s against them.”
Yeah, a little nuclear radiation will do everyone some good; maybe it will brighten up those young punks in baggy pants. Yes, it is easy for you to say that in the comfort and safety of your armchair in America. Meanwhile the politicians and the wealthy in South Korea will send their kids to America to dodge the military draft Kim Dae Jung-style. With all this talk about thermonuclear war, there may yet be a new flood of baggy-pants Koreans to America, and K-towns in America will get a revival of sorts.
I Ching
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 22:23:22 (PST)
[199.183.29.102]
Moon,
To say that the Chinese are still ruled by the cult of the CCP is to be as incorrect as the movie producer of “Die Another Day” who portrayed South Korea as a backward nation of rice-farmers still using the water buffalos. Actually the Chinese are now ruled by the cult of Yao, the seven and a-half foot superman playing for the Houston Rockets. Several times a week, practically half of the nation is up at the ungodly hour of six in the morning to seek spiritual inspiration by watching their superman to do slam-dunks. ^_^
I Ching
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 22:14:40 (PST)
[199.183.29.102]
Ny^+^boy,
The CCP has made it clear last year that it would like to adopt the Singaporean model of political governance with a civil service based on meritocracy. Singapore has the cleanest least corrupt government in all of Asia and the Americas. It also reached the level of high prosperity and economic development faster than any other nation in the world.
As for individualism, this very American concept is virtually unknown in East Asia. And, it really does not matter if individualism never catches on in East Asia. Nobel Prize-winner John Nash of Princeton University with his game theory proved that team cooperation produces an overall result better than a bunch of individuals selfishly looking out for No. 1. Just look at any team sport, and you will understand. In addition, Japan is proof that a nation can succeed without individualism or Judeo-Christian ethos. If anything America’s infatuation with Judaism and Christianity makes it a target of terrorism, severely compromises its economical and political prospects, and renders it unqualified as a fair and impartial world leader and arbitrator.
I Ching
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 22:13:15 (PST)
[199.183.29.102]
Lucky Strike
The ability to change is good; after all, stubbornness is not an attribute. The Chinese have always believed life is a never-ending series of changes and at times as predictable as the seasons. The important thing is in which direction that change is heading. In China’s case, its economy is being transformed from communism to free-market in less than a generation. That’s good. Now in South Korea’s case, its relationship with the U.S. is heading to a 57-year low. Now, that’s bad, really bad for Korean-Americans like you. If this keeps going, by the end of this year, Korean-Americans will be in the same boat as Arab-Americans. My advice to you is to buy the biggest American flag you can afford (they are more affordable if they are ‘Made in China’ ^_^ ) and prominently post it up on your porch.
I Ching
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 22:07:39 (PST)
[199.183.29.102]
Civil War,
I guess China better get Kim on a tight leash, or else it's Asia that'll be in trouble, not North America.
You're foolish if you think the Russian will get involved militarily.
AC,
Ever consider Iraq part II is just one of those "This could happen to you" advertisements? After Iraq part 1, China went on a Russian spending spree trying to make their military look semi-modern.
Give SK kids about 10 years, they'll realize ideology is a lot different from reality.
Maybe you're right, the Americans should sit back and let certain areas of interest exhaust themselves, then come in and cleanup (it's cheaper both economically and in terms of lives). After NK invades the South, SK youth will come crying to Uncle Sam to save their asses. In actuality, they'll be setting themselves up for a bigger indignation.
Seoul needs to realize that after several generations of brainwashing, there's only one way to save their "brothers", and they'll need help from American firepower.
America and England seemed to come out pretty good after their civil wars. Maybe finishing the Korean War would be a blessing in disguise.
huu76
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 18:33:10 (PST)
[65.95.204.254]
Civil War,
"If U.S goes to war with North Korea. Japan and South Korea will be endanger."
If we go to war with North Korea, it will completely dismantle political, economic, social stability in the Pacific and Europe and the US.
My advice to George W. Bush - Shut Up!
One more thing: appoint former President Clinton as a special envoy to North Korea for the sole purpose of avoing war on this nuclear issue. He's a brilliant negotiator.
The Republicans completely control U.S. government right now. Democrats lost out in 2002. I can live with that. The party who rules has the right to push their own agenda within limits.
However, if we allow Bush to screw this North Korean crisis up completely, then we will have no way of recovering without massive losses across the board.
Who the hell in the Bush administration said we would not negotiate with North Koreaa? That was really stupid.
Kennedy negotiated with the Soviets during the Cuban Missile Crisis. That was a threat. Carter negotiated with the Soviets during the Afghanistan invasion. Truman negotiated with Stalin in 1945. Give me a break! I think George Bush is an inept statesman and political leader.
That's what it all boils down to.
Geoff DB
GeoffDB08@aol.com
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 14:20:33 (PST)
[172.172.73.5]
Hehehe,
Now Kim wants a Holy War!? Next thing you know, he'll be wearing a diaper on his head.
Dhsin,
With talk like yours, it won't be long before SK has a trade deficit. Americans are the only ones who buy Corean goods. In Asia, SK is still the poor man's Japan.
huu76
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 06:53:36 (PST)
[65.95.195.194]
dhsin
You see what happens when Asain people fight each other. We see a clear example in North and South Korea. They can't get along, their country is divided. What kind of respect do people give to that? It not only give them less respect but also make them easier target to be bully. And makes them less strong as a country.
If United States was divided, I think the government from one side would kill the other side. And what does it make America, just states thats divided instead of United. It won't be such a super-power after it has divided.
I tell you, Korea, will always have conflict. It's going to be on and off, but conflict is inevitiable, until it is united. This is bad for Korea because it makes their country weak, easy to bully and accomplish nothing. I'm just happy China is all together and is a member in U.N. Other-wise, Asian don't play a big role in the international stage.
There are more people in Korea that dis-like U.S then do. Just not too long ago, two korea girl got crush by american solider's Jeep, I don't think they even got punish for it. America will do what it will when they rule Korea, that's for sure. They'll go by their rule and laws whether they want to punish them for the crime or not.
Last point I want to make is this, If U.S goes to war with North Korea. Japan and South Korea will be endanger. Battle field will be in south Korea, and hundred of thousand of people will die. If U.S use Nuke, North Korea will also use Nuke, they will first Nuke Japan since american solider are there. And they will nuke South Korea and even Hawaii. Now if China and Russia is to get involve [which can happen because it is not too far from there], it's going to be world war. BTW, China and Russia has more sympathy toward North Korea. Anyway if this is the case, millions of people will die. South Korean's don't want war, it will only kill more of their people. If war broke up, there won't be much Korean people in this world. Just sad....
What's even more sad is that some south Korean's, I believed because out of fear of North Korean becomes naive and think U.S is their lord and savior. Brain-Wash, I tell you.
Civil War
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 19:09:59 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
Ny^+^boy,
"If you insist taht China can get there anotehr way, well that'll be a nice contribution....but what way is that?
Do you care to elaborate?"
China has always insisted it will get to modernization China's way. Based on differences in culture and history.
If you are a proponent of Democracy and Capitalism, the world is full of examples where both method of government and economic have failed. Look to South America for plenty of place which this system has failed.
Look to Taiwan to a place in asia where both system have failed.
To believe Democracy and Capitalism are cookie cutter processes that can be place onto of any society to become successful is naive and just illustrates the mindset of someone who is a victim of propoganda. This is the same reasoning that lead to collapse of the USSR. Communism and Control Economy is not a cookie cutter process.
Some of the most successful countries on this planet are monarchies. Doesn't mean that they were unable to modernize nor rule by the will of the people.
So the USA is feeling the effect of being over-extended, while we amass troops in the Middle East for a decisive victory. Asia is rapidly moving towards another political pole in the area.
AC Dropout
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 11:24:33 (PST)
[24.136.115.189]
Lucky Strike,
"Would this not indicate that the minds were easily changed."
Probably not since if you read Moon's post.
"And you can also add millions of dead Chinese to that list."
So it took million of lives to change the way of China.
If you read on the coalition of 8 nations that ganged up on China in the 19th and 20th century, you will see, China lost a lot of land, money, lives, and dignity before it decided to change its ways.
In fact when the USA allied with the ROC government, even the Chiang was strong enough to defy the USA in seperating China into N and S. China at the Yantze River. He choose to gracefully retreat to Taiwan Island.
Unfortunately the Koreas have yet to have visionary leadership to see past Cold War plans until recently.
Self determination and dignity for the Koreas can only come from the Koreans. The younger generation see this now.
The USA under the Bush administration really have no clue about the Koreas, nor even care about the dignity of the Korean people. WTF was his 'axis of evil' routine suppose to help the 'sunshine policy'. Bush and his nonsense has single handedly pushed the NK and SK relatioship back 20 years.
AC Dropout
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 11:16:33 (PST)
[24.136.115.189]
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