South America Vs South Korea Research Paper
Imagine if the United States was divided into two separate countries, a communist nation and a democratic nation. Pretend you lived in the communist nation. There you would have no freedoms and rights. Your economy is also declining. You want to reunite with the democratic nation, but they don’t want you back. Your country has a bad reputation for nuclear weapons, violence, and discrimination against people who don’t believe in communism. This is what North and South Korea are going through right now. The North wants to reunite with the South because they are in an economic hole. Because of North Korea’s historic ties to China and South Korea’s ties to the United States, this very local conflict between two small nations has potential global
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interest and impact. I believe that North and South Korea can’t and won’t reunify under any circumstances because of the long, difficult history between the two nations. The conflict between North and South Korea began in the 1950’s during the Korean War. The North (communist) wanted to reunite with the South (democratic) by force. The US had just pulled it forces out of South Korea and left them with a small military that wasn’t in fighting condition. While on the other hand, North Korea was heavily equipped and ready to take action. The North, backed by the USSR and the newly communist China, crossed the 38th parallel and invaded the democratic South. They easily took control of parts of the region, including the capital of the South, Seoul. Hearing this news, the United Nations sent troops into South Korea to defend them from the North. This took the North by surprise, and South Korea pushed back across the 38th parallel. A year later, the North and South were at a stale mate at the 38th parallel. They remained like that for two more years until they finally made an agreement. An armistice ended the Korean War and divided the North and South at the 38th parallel with a military buffer zone on either side. The two Koreas have been separated ever since. In 2006, North Korea announced that they tested seven missiles of varying ranges with varying success, and that they had successfully created a nuclear weapon. In 2007, they stated that their nuclear program was shut down, but later that year, they created another successful nuclear weapon. Today, the South has a growing economy, while the North has barely has anything left. The North wants to unite with South, but there is no benefit to anyone but the North. Based on their inconsistent actions, North Korea cannot be trusted (histortyworld.net Korea Timeline). According to the CRS Report for Congress, from 1950- 2007, North Korea has provoked South Korea and other South Korean allies with acts of violence at least 165 times. These provoking actions range from hijacking a plane in 1958, to creating and successfully building nuclear weapons in 2007 after they stated that they halted their nuclear program earlier in 2007. In the 2002 state of the union address, then President George Bush elevated North Korea’s status as a potential world threat. He included North Korea in what he called the “axis of evil”. He raised suspicion regarding North Korea’s motives by stating, “North Korea is a regime arming with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while starving its citizens”. Just recently according to CBC news, in November of 2010, North Korea shelled the South Korean city of Yeonpyeong. Nothing led to this sudden attack on South Korea. It appears that the North Korean attacks on South Korea are continuing, supporting President Bush’s concern regarding North Korea. If the North really wanted to unify, they would be reaching out to South Korea diplomatically instead of continuing acts of violence. If Korea is ever going to unite, they need to achieve a peaceful agreement. This will not happen, because the differences in the styles of each nation’s governments are so different. However, continued instability in this region could possibly escalate into a larger world issue. Until North Korea has a dictator willing to compromise with South Korea, I don’t see any unification occurring.
Many economic problems would likely ignite if North and South Korea were to unify and share an economy. There is a substantial difference between these two economies. The South’s economy is significantly ahead of the North’s in maturity such that it would leave a heavy burden on South Korea’s shoulders. For example, during the German reunification, there was a unification tax placed on all the people in the west. This tax was for rebuilding the former East. The tax is still in place today, about twenty years later. There is talk that this tax would be placed on South Korea if they decide to unify, but it would be of a larger sum (Randall Holcombe). This information may not be completely accurate, because this is the opinion of Randall Holcombe, s a blogger, which is based on past reunifications. Because the differences in economies are so drastic, the combined economy might lead into an economic turmoil. This problem would be difficult to overcome. South Korea would likely need to invest significant resources in order to lift North Korea’s economy to it level. If North and South Korea decide to unify, there are some political issues.
Are they going to be a communist nation with a dictator or a democratic society? That’s an important question, because the dictators in North Korea aren’t going to be willing to give up their power. Because of this, there could potentially be another war between the North and South. If that happens, the North would have an advantage. They have the larger military, and China would most likely provide them with military aid. The South doesn’t have as strong of a military as the North. As a result, the United States would be obligated to aid South Korea in the event of an act of aggression because of the treaty the United States signed with them in 1953 (www.state.gov). The U.S. might not be able to provide enough support, because we are already fighting two wars. Without U.S. assistance, the South would be outnumbered, most likely lose the war and become communist. In order to have any chance of living up to our treaty, the U.S. might need to bring the draft back. This could instigate many problems among our citizens, especially men of draft age who would fall victim to this solution. I personally don’t want to be in the military along with many other people of draft age. This situation would only wreak more havoc on our economy and political state along with China’s and the unified Korea. There is no benefit to anyone in this
situation. As you can see there are too many obstacles in the way for North and South Korea to unify. First, North Korea cannot be trusted. History indicates, when they say something they probably don’t actually mean it. Second, there are economic issues. The only reason North Korea wants to unite with South Korean is because they want a share of the South Korean success. But if they do unite, the South Korean economy might plunge because of the burden North Korea would put on them. And third, there are too many political issues that need to be dealt with. The North is so communist that it would be hard for them to change to a democratic nation. Also the dictators don’t want to give up any power, thus making it nearly impossible to compromise with South Korea. If unification were going to happen, it won’t be peaceful. There might be another war, which would create additional world problems. Unification is not possible any time soon with the current status. It would be a miracle if it happens in my lifetime.
interest and impact. I believe that North and South Korea can’t and won’t reunify under any circumstances because of the long, difficult history between the two nations. The conflict between North and South Korea began in the 1950’s during the Korean War. The North (communist) wanted to reunite with the South (democratic) by force. The US had just pulled it forces out of South Korea and left them with a small military that wasn’t in fighting condition. While on the other hand, North Korea was heavily equipped and ready to take action. The North, backed by the USSR and the newly communist China, crossed the 38th parallel and invaded the democratic South. They easily took control of parts of the region, including the capital of the South, Seoul. Hearing this news, the United Nations sent troops into South Korea to defend them from the North. This took the North by surprise, and South Korea pushed back across the 38th parallel. A year later, the North and South were at a stale mate at the 38th parallel. They remained like that for two more years until they finally made an agreement. An armistice ended the Korean War and divided the North and South at the 38th parallel with a military buffer zone on either side. The two Koreas have been separated ever since. In 2006, North Korea announced that they tested seven missiles of varying ranges with varying success, and that they had successfully created a nuclear weapon. In 2007, they stated that their nuclear program was shut down, but later that year, they created another successful nuclear weapon. Today, the South has a growing economy, while the North has barely has anything left. The North wants to unite with South, but there is no benefit to anyone but the North. Based on their inconsistent actions, North Korea cannot be trusted (histortyworld.net Korea Timeline). According to the CRS Report for Congress, from 1950- 2007, North Korea has provoked South Korea and other South Korean allies with acts of violence at least 165 times. These provoking actions range from hijacking a plane in 1958, to creating and successfully building nuclear weapons in 2007 after they stated that they halted their nuclear program earlier in 2007. In the 2002 state of the union address, then President George Bush elevated North Korea’s status as a potential world threat. He included North Korea in what he called the “axis of evil”. He raised suspicion regarding North Korea’s motives by stating, “North Korea is a regime arming with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while starving its citizens”. Just recently according to CBC news, in November of 2010, North Korea shelled the South Korean city of Yeonpyeong. Nothing led to this sudden attack on South Korea. It appears that the North Korean attacks on South Korea are continuing, supporting President Bush’s concern regarding North Korea. If the North really wanted to unify, they would be reaching out to South Korea diplomatically instead of continuing acts of violence. If Korea is ever going to unite, they need to achieve a peaceful agreement. This will not happen, because the differences in the styles of each nation’s governments are so different. However, continued instability in this region could possibly escalate into a larger world issue. Until North Korea has a dictator willing to compromise with South Korea, I don’t see any unification occurring.
Many economic problems would likely ignite if North and South Korea were to unify and share an economy. There is a substantial difference between these two economies. The South’s economy is significantly ahead of the North’s in maturity such that it would leave a heavy burden on South Korea’s shoulders. For example, during the German reunification, there was a unification tax placed on all the people in the west. This tax was for rebuilding the former East. The tax is still in place today, about twenty years later. There is talk that this tax would be placed on South Korea if they decide to unify, but it would be of a larger sum (Randall Holcombe). This information may not be completely accurate, because this is the opinion of Randall Holcombe, s a blogger, which is based on past reunifications. Because the differences in economies are so drastic, the combined economy might lead into an economic turmoil. This problem would be difficult to overcome. South Korea would likely need to invest significant resources in order to lift North Korea’s economy to it level. If North and South Korea decide to unify, there are some political issues.
Are they going to be a communist nation with a dictator or a democratic society? That’s an important question, because the dictators in North Korea aren’t going to be willing to give up their power. Because of this, there could potentially be another war between the North and South. If that happens, the North would have an advantage. They have the larger military, and China would most likely provide them with military aid. The South doesn’t have as strong of a military as the North. As a result, the United States would be obligated to aid South Korea in the event of an act of aggression because of the treaty the United States signed with them in 1953 (www.state.gov). The U.S. might not be able to provide enough support, because we are already fighting two wars. Without U.S. assistance, the South would be outnumbered, most likely lose the war and become communist. In order to have any chance of living up to our treaty, the U.S. might need to bring the draft back. This could instigate many problems among our citizens, especially men of draft age who would fall victim to this solution. I personally don’t want to be in the military along with many other people of draft age. This situation would only wreak more havoc on our economy and political state along with China’s and the unified Korea. There is no benefit to anyone in this
situation. As you can see there are too many obstacles in the way for North and South Korea to unify. First, North Korea cannot be trusted. History indicates, when they say something they probably don’t actually mean it. Second, there are economic issues. The only reason North Korea wants to unite with South Korean is because they want a share of the South Korean success. But if they do unite, the South Korean economy might plunge because of the burden North Korea would put on them. And third, there are too many political issues that need to be dealt with. The North is so communist that it would be hard for them to change to a democratic nation. Also the dictators don’t want to give up any power, thus making it nearly impossible to compromise with South Korea. If unification were going to happen, it won’t be peaceful. There might be another war, which would create additional world problems. Unification is not possible any time soon with the current status. It would be a miracle if it happens in my lifetime.