Reunification Impossible: North and South Korea, a Case of Politically Institutionalized Societies

摘要

The North-South Korean reunification issue is a complex and emotional political problem. These homogeneous people have been divided and politically reoriented into two dichotomous political institutions. The major part of this thesis studies the specific development of the political institutions within North and South Korea. The author reviews past reunification proposals. The impact of the actions and desires of the major powers (China, Japan, the Soviet Union, and the United States) overwhelms any individual or joint-Korean initiatives that can be advanced. The author concludes that both North and South Korea are convinced that their system of government is best and neither wants reunification if it means changing its system. Further, the political power of each side's leaders would crumble under a compromise confederation. Reunification without war is impossible in Korea. Both countries are too well established politically to handle the compromise that would be necessary for reunification