North and South Korea are uniting.

Are you ready?

It was with the UN that 21 nations divided the Koreas, and so it's will all countries that they should be united. Canada has traditionally held the role of peacemaker. It has been historically viewed favourably with having a positive track record when it comes to peacekeeping. As a G7 member it holds significant influence having the potential to impact other countries especially the US, such as to help mediate US and Korean relations. It is with this frame of mind that Canada can contribute to overcoming the Korean divide that is the representation of the world today, enveloped in contradiction between democratic and communist ideals.

Yes and no. The historical context is different. But in the case of East and West Germany, Germans on both sides had always desired unity whereas North Koreans consider themselves to be different from South Koreans and have a desire to retain their identity. Given the time that has past and the generational gap, there is a decreasing desire for unity with many South and North Koreans preferring the division at this point given how much both countries have evolved apart from each other. On the other hand, both cases have a similar economic dilemma with the democratic part being expected to invest in the communist region. There is the potential for a return on investment with the added resources and labour force, but connections can be made to Germany as to the challenges Korea may experience with unification.

Several lessons can be learned from the reunification of Germany, namely that a potential path to peace may require communist leaders to have their safety guaranteed. Additionally, a will from the people that are isolated is important. Internal pressure from East Germany was one factor that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall. This brings up the importance of access to information. If more North Koreans can have access to the reality of the situation and understand how their Southern counterparts are living, then pressure to unify can come from North Korea. Some progress is being made in that area. More North Koreans are exposed to the outside especially South Korean culture in the form of K-pop and Korean dramas. North Koreans have never been as connected as they are now to those outside especially in China. Defectors have been a powerful force in helping North Koreans come to terms with the truth of the state of Korea.

By providing a platform for dialogue and inviting diverse perspectives, UPF is taking action to incorporate the voices of both sides of the division. The emphasis is on working with both sides to find common ground and reach an amicable solution. This will always be the most sustainable solution to peace.