Korea’s Dream for the 21st Century

Park Se-il

Chairman of Hansun Foundation

Professor of Law and Economics

Graduate School of International Studies

Seoul National University

The situation is unsettling at home and abroad. But no matter how strenuous the reality is, we should not lose our dreams. Only when we have dreams can we be united as one and create a new history as an advanced nation. What is Korea’s dream in the 21st century? In a word, it is to emerge as “a global nation that opens a new era of Northeast Asia."

The center of the world will move to Asia in the future. Over the past two centuries, Europe and the American continent were the center of the world ― Great Britain in the 19th century and the United States in the 20th century. In the 21st century, however, Asia will play the leading role. In 1990, the U.S. GNP was larger than that of Japan, China and India combined. By 2050, the combined GNP of China and India will by far exceed that of the United States.

The most dynamic new region in the upcoming era of Asia will be Northeast Asia encompassing North Korea, Manchuria, the Maritime Province of Siberia, the West Sea and the East Sea. Despite its high growth potential, this region has remained underdeveloped due to wrong history and ideologies. But it will rise as a "new growth axis of global development" with the highest growth rate in the 21st century. To open such a new era, China, Japan, Russia and the Korean Peninsula need to cooperate with one another, ushering in an "era of unity in Northeast Asia" with the support of the United States and Europe.

A prerequisite for the unity of Northeast Asia is the unification of the Korean peninsula ― normalization of Pyongyang's statehood, its reforms and opening up, and the integration of both Koreas. There will be no integration of Northeast Asian nations without that of both Koreas. And an Asian union not based on the integration of Northeast Asia will be an empty idea. Therefore, the integration of North and South Korea will be a precondition for the unity in Northeast Asia and a key to a new era of Asia in the 21st century.

How can we open an era of South-North unity on the Korean peninsula? Who holds the key? I think the key is the South Korean people's will and desire for unification. The most crucial factor for the era of a unified Korea is the will for unification on the part of South Koreans, then the North Koreans’ sympathy, and cooperation from the four major powers surrounding the peninsula.

Only when we have a firm resolve and enthusiasm for unification can we win sympathy from North Koreans and support from the major powers. The real obstacle to the unification of the two Koreas is no longer the North Korean regime or opposition from neighboring countries. Only we are to blame for our lack of will, desire and preparation for unification.

Therefore, the most urgent task is to build public consensus and secure domestic unity for national unification. If our society is divided and we clash and conflict among ourselves, then we would inevitably invite intervention from major powers, which would further delay unification and drive the peninsula into a state of semi-permanent division.

The next 5 to 15 years will be a crucial period in determining the fate of the Republic of Korea as well as the entire Korean nation. We must set out to make whole-hearted efforts to open an era of national unity right now. When we succeed in this endeavor we will be able to break the dawn of national unification successfully within five years to fully unify the peninsula within a decade and then play a leading role in bringing about a new era for Northeast Asia within 15 years.

We should consecutively and successfully open eras of internal integration, inter-Korean integration and Northeast Asian integration. In this way, we can become a principal player in the new era of Northeast Asia, and turn a Goldman Sachs prediction into a reality ― that Korea, with its per capita national income exceeding US$40,000, will rank third after the United States and Japan by 2025, and, with $81,000, come in second after the United States by 2050.

This year marks the centennial of the martyrdom of the independence fighter An Jung-geun, who assassinated Ito Hirobumi, the Japanese resident-general of Korea, in 1909. An had two dreams: the independence of Korea and the peace in Asia. Now, the day is approaching for us to fulfill his great dreams. We should achieve the independence of a unified Korea through the integration of North and South Korea, and open an era of peace in Asia through the integration of Northeast Asia. The entire nation should be united with patriotic loyalty to achieve national integration and never lose this rare opportunity.

Mr. An said: “A country is maintained due to unity of the leaders and the led. The greatest reason for this state of our country today rests in our failure to attain national harmony. Let us achieve Korean independence as well as Asian peace by breaking away from disharmony and firmly consolidate unity.” This appeal from a century ago resonates even more powerfully today. Anyone living on this land should humbly take it to heart. 

                                           [Chosun Ilbo, July 23, 2010]