What is the issue on the Korean Unification?

Since the appearance of the Republic of Korea (RK or South Korea) and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) in 1948, the two Koreas are completely separated politically, socially, culturally and militarily. Almost immediately thereafter, the idea of uniting the two countries was born but interpreted in radically different ways from both sides of the thirty-eighth parallel. 

The establishment of the North based its idea on a strong ideologically influenced unification- by communist revolution and nationalist popular movement. Of course, North Korea views the U.S. as the main obstacle for achieving of unity and showing their hostility to the "imperialist" power and constantly insisting on the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Korean peninsula has become a typical trait for Pyongyang's behavior. DPRK perceives the presence of the United States as a deliberate action which threatens the implementation of the unification.

On the other hand, South Korea is developing its own versions for a possible unification, in which the ideas of peace and democracy are outlined as guiding principles. Since 1970, South Korea's government pursues a plan for reunification of the Korean nation, recognizing in the same time the existence of two regimes on the Korean peninsula. One of the most important attempts at unification includes the revision of the Constitution from 1987 which includes in it the phrase "developing and implementing a policy for peaceful unification under a liberal democratic order". 

In 1989 the Republic of Korea presented its policy for unification, envisioning the Korean national community in a democratic setting with the rights of freedom, human rights, equality and happiness. Presented is also the need to develop a "Korean Community”, a federation linking North and South in a common government framework. On 15 August 1994 South Korea represented the process for unification in three steps: 1. reconciliation and cooperation, 2. "Korean Community" and 3. establishment of a unified country with a common constitution. The special feature of this proposal is the focus on the national identity.

Differences between RK and DPRK in regard of Unification

	Republic of Korea	Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Principle of unification	Independently, peacefully, democratic	Independently, peacefully, national unity
Ideology of unification	Liberal-Democratic	Juche ideology
Preconditions for unification		Repeal of the Law on National Security, Freedom of Communist activity in the south, the withdrawal of U.S. forces
Process of unification	Reconciliation and cooperation- confederation- united country	Gradual progress towards federal government
Desired shape of a united state	Unification of the nation under one regime, one state, one government	Federal state of one nation, two regimes, two governments

A comparison between the two visions of the both sides for unification shows that they are mutually exclusive. Republic of Korea has planned the removal of the DPRK, on the other hand North Korea seeks unity in which to preserve its regime. Although peaceful unification is the most desired option, it would be possible only if the two Koreas reach consensus on a common plan for union, supported by external forces. How do the U.S., China and Japan look on the Korean unification and what it means for them?

The U.S. policy towards the Korean issue is focused primarily on the elimination of North Korea’s nuclear program, and this problem for it is much more important than the unification of the two countries. For now, the U.S. accepts the status quo rather than a rapid political change, wishing stability in first place on the Korean peninsula. America seems to favor a regime change in DPRK, or at least a stable behavior on its part.

Although the unification of Korea is not a priority for the United States, the role of the Americans is extremely important for the future of the peninsula. There is a close interconnection between Washington's policy towards North Korea and its behavior. If the United States takes tougher measures against North Korea, Pyongyang would response with a military mobilization and intensified anti-American propaganda and threats to South Korea and Japan. Exactly for that reason the American approach towards the issue is very important for the stability on the Korean peninsula.

Regarding the issue, it appears that China is not in favor of unified Korea. For the Chinese strategists a prolonged division would mean a stable security environment in East Asia. Given the uncertainties about a possible unification and the new problems that it might generate, China also prefers the status quo rather than a rapid change of the situation. 

Simultaneously, China supports the regime in Pyongyang for its survival and its attempts to implement internal economic reforms, thus preserving the stability of the region. On the other hand the Chinese government is not satisfied with the  irregular and belligerent behavior of the North Korean regime. Beijing wants the DPRK regime to be maintained, but without the acquisition of nuclear weapons, which would change the strategic situation in the Far East. 

China's support for North Korea and its role on the peninsula as a whole, can have a major impact on the future course of the Korean unification. It becomes quite apparent that without Chinese collaboration, the DPRK could prove unable to maintain its political and economic system in the near future. The ability of China to interact influentially in almost every issue in East Asia makes it a key factor for the issue and also to security in the region.

Japan, with its military alliance with the U.S., also plays a major role in maintaining the regional stability. With regard to the Korean problem, however, its role is controversial. On the one hand Japan reacts cautiously on the possibility to have a unified and powerful Korean neighbor in the near future, on the other hand Japan feels threatened by the instability on the Korean Peninsula and the possibility of another nuclear power in the vicinity. It is unclear whether resolving the nuclear issue is inextricably linked with the Korean unification, but one of the solutions to the problem of the regional instability hides in the success of this union.