Do you know how the idea of ¡¯Unification of North and South¡¯ is made up? Although Korea achieved independence from Japan on August 15, 1945, we went separate ways and the 38th parallel boundary was hardened because North wanted to set up pro-Soviet government and South wanted a pro-American government. Therefore, some people say the division of Korea into North and South wasn¡¯t our will and it¡¯s time to unify the two Koreas.
We surveyed 294 CWNU students to find out how they think about the unification. We asked students, ¡°Do you think that North and South Korea have to be unified?¡± 207 students (70%) answered ¡®Yes¡¯ and 87 students (30%) said ¡®No¡¯. Most students feel that we need to unify.
However, the reason for unification that students gave was against our expectation. Only 54 students (27%) answered we should unify the two Koreas because ¡®we are the Korean race¡¯ and it just ranked second. Many students (60 students, 32%) answered ¡®because of expected economic synergy effect¡¯. Subsequently, 42 students (19%) said the two Koreas have to unify ¡®to reduce a danger of war that may occur¡¯ and 33 students (16%) said ¡®to cut excessive national defense expenditure¡¯. Next, there are 12 students (6%) who answered 'to reunite dispersed families'.
We inquired about how students thought unification could be brought about. 96 students (44%) said ¡®North and South knowing each other¡¯s news¡¯. It seems that many students are indifferent to unifying because we receive news of North Korea through other countries. Also 81 students (42%) said ¡®having peaceful unification education¡¯ and 30 students (14%) said ¡®constant aiding to North korea¡¯.
However, a few students have opposite views about unifying. We inquired about why they oppose it. The majority of students (50%) answered ¡®because of a social turmoil caused by difference of ideology (ex, communism & democracy)¡¯. Also ¡®economic difficulties caused by the gap between the two nations¡¯ and ¡®problems from a dense population to South Korea¡¯ are followed.
Leaving pros and cons, an economic factor was a big part of thinking of the unification. If you weren¡¯t interested in unifying, I hope this survey is thought provoking for you.
Choi Hyeon-kyeong -
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