Five Theories of Unification

Unification - a perennial topic of discussion among political scientists - has now become an interest of investors. Undeniably this phenomenon is a reflection or outgrowth of the Park Geun-hye government’s labeling of “unification bonanza” or grand opportunity or jackpot in her famous speech in Dresden, Germany. The launch of the preparatory committee for unification this week is a very significant step after the Dresden speech.

The concept or “theory” of unification has taken many forms in Korea.

I count five. Each one is distinct, and has been motivated by a combination of ideology and real-world events. They are all important to remember. Without one, the others could have never emerged.

*An earlier version of this article first appeared on July 22, 2014 in Joongang Ilbo, available online at http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2992317.

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