The Inter-Korean Relationship
By Rachel C. Keenan
Hello! My name is Rachel and I will discuss my project on The Inter-Korean
Relationship. After researching different topics surrounding the North and South
Korean relationship, I became very interested in the social discrepancy between the
two countries in regards to Korean reunification. Research Question
How do South Korean students at the University of Kansas feel about the politics of Korean reunification?
The research aims to understand how South Koreans at the University of
Kansas feel about the politics of Korean reunification. Previous research often lacked analysis of the cultural and social consequences of unification, and also lacked much qualitative data of the younger generation. Background
Japanese Colonization 1910-1945
Division of the Koreas 1945
Korean War 1950-1953
Sunshine Policy 2000
Kaesong Industrial Building
President Moon Jae-In
The Koreas have been separated since the 50s, 1953 to be exact, though the
division began around 1945 after the defeat of Japan's colonization of Korea. After
many years of a definite separation, the two countries agreed on the creation of a new
policy aimed to explore possibilities of economic collaborations as well as to reunite
Korean families separated due to the war. The policy, officially The Sunshine Policy,
was created in the year 2000 and led to the creation of the Kaesong Industrial building,
which is a joint North and South Korea facility, employing members of both countries.
The policy struggled as North Korea continued to pursue nuclear weapon creation thus
not complying with the policy regulation; production was halted soon after and was
not revisited until very recently. The leader of South Korea, President Moon has
pursued the reopening of the facility since the President came into office in 2017. Current South Korean President Moon Jae-in is very much in favor of supporting inter-Korean collaboration and has actively pursued new ways to incorporate North Korean resources into South Korea. Existing Literature
German reunification
Korean pop culture soft power
Economic policy possibilities
Previous literature on Korean reunification focuses on two main topics. The
German reunification parallels and Economic policy suggestions. Scholars often
examine the commonalities of the two in order to explain challenges the Koreas could
encounter, in parallel to Germany. Millard (2018) discusses not only the economic
hardships but also touches on the social challenges Germany faced after reunifying.
However, I think comparing the two is longer helpful, as the social differences are
much larger in Korea than they were in the German Case. Other scholars suggest
various plans of action for South Korea regarding economic possibilities. Most look at
the situation from the perspective of South Korea’s democracy and how they can
change North Korea. Phillips (2011) note North Korea’s need for a full market reform,
efficient capital investment, and increases in infrastructure, but remain absent in analyzing the social needs. Though economic policy suggestions is a common topic, I think in order to start making changes, Korea needs to focus more on the social disparities. Generally, the research focuses on changing the economics of North Korea without considering the perspectives or desires of Koreans citizens. Therefore, my project will add on to these discussions of Korean reunification but with more focus on the social side. Research Design
South Korean exchange students at the University of Kansas
Personal one-on-one interviews
The research seeks to understand the situation from the perspective of Korean
citizens, so the research used interview transcriptions of South Korean exchange
students studying at the University of Kansas. Many researchers have noted the
complexity of the situation, but because my research will focus solely on the
perceptions of South Korean students as I hope to narrow down the issue to a more
compact demographic, South Koreans aged 18-30. I created a list of thirty open-ended,
discussion questions based on Korean reunification, South Korea’s relationship with
North Korea, and South Korea’s rise in global influence through pop culture. I met
with 9 exchange students from South Korea for individual thirty-minute to hour-long
sessions over the course of three weeks. I asked the interviewees the questions, voice
recorded every interview, and then transcribed the interviews onto a word document. Analysis
Thematic coding of interview transcripts
Organizing by coded theme
Gathering common trends for analysis
In order to analyze the data, I thematically coded all the interviewee transcripts
into six different code words. Organizing the interview data in this form was critical
for revealing the trends among interviewee responses. I then disseminated the topic
themes and created a throughline of my analysis, which I will now discuss in the next
slides. Korean Identity and Culture
“Actually, because we have been separated for so long, we do have different identities. The government system is different and the cultures are different so, we should try integrating them so we begin to have the same feelings” (Interviewee 2, personal communication, February 19th, 2020).
“Because we have been separated for a while, our identities are different. I feel like most people have hostility towards North Koreans, like we have certain names for phrases to call North Koreans” (Interviewee 4, personal communication, February 2th, 2020).
“Everything between the two countries is different, I actually cannot even understand their Korean dialect” (Interviewee 8, personal communication, March 5th, 2020).
“I just call us Korea because I think we are the same people” (Interviewee 9, personal communication, March
6th, 2020)
A critical factor to consider within discussions of reunification are the cultural
differences between the two Korean countries. Of the nine Koreans interviewed, only
four agreed North and South Koreans have the same Korean identity; interviewees in
disagreement believe due to the passage of time, the two countries have very different
types of Korean identity. One interviewee in agreement to a cohesive identity stated,“ I
just call us Korea because I think we are the same people” (Interviewee 9, Personal
Communication, March 6th, 2020). Much of North Korea still remains a mystery for
even South Koreans. The Controversy of Aid
“I do not really think we have the responsibility of send aid because we have been separated for so many years” (Interviewee 1, personal communication, February 18th, 2020)
“I do not think we are responsible, we are doing it mostly for charity” (Interviewee 6, personal communication, March 26th, 2020)
“Same ancestors, same history-we are the same people so we need to be responsible for them, we cannot just abandon brothers and sisters” (Interviewee 9, personal communication, March 6th, 2020)
“We do feel responsible for North Korean citizens and we want to help, but it is questionable if Kim Jong Un really uses the assistance for the people” (Interviewee 7, personal communication, February 26th, 2020)
In addition, four interviewees who felt the Korean identities of the two Koreas
are separate also believe South Korea is not responsible to send aid to North Korea.
Aid seems to be a controversial topic among the interviewees as the numbers were
split nearly 50/50. For example interviewee 1 stated, “I do not really think we have
responsibility to send aid because we have been separated for so many years”
(Interviewee 1, Personal Communication, February 18th, 2020). Responsible is the key
word in the question-if South Koreans truly felt North and South Koreans have the
same identity, sending aid should not be controversial. So, this supports the claim of
younger South Koreans feeling less connected and less supportive of North Korea.
Interviewees in favor of sending economic aid and food assistance view the
two counties as one Korea. Four interviewees feel South Korea is responsible to send aid assistance to North Korea. “Same ancestors, same history-we are the same people so we need to be responsible for them, we cannot just abandon brothers and sisters” (Interviewee 9, Personal Communication, March 6th, 2020). Interviewee 7 views the two Koreas as separate identities but understanding the need to assist North
Korea, “We do feel responsible for North Korean citizens and we want to help, but it is questionable if Kim Jong Un really uses the assistance for the people” (Interviewee 7,
Personal Communication, February 26th, 2020). Due to the closed economic market of
North Korea, understanding the country's true need for aid is unmeasurable. The lack of transparency is a barrier to the inter-Korean relationship, North Korea will need to become sincere and convert to an open economy in order to gain support from South
Korean citizens. Economics Collaborations
“I have heard those people are really poor, they do not even have enough rice. Reunification would be hard because we will have to pay a lot of taxes but there would be a lot of economic benefits because North Korea has good natural resources” (Interviewee 6, personal communication, February 26th, 2020)
“They have good natural resources. If our technology their natural resources were combined it would be a perfect combination” (Interviewee 8, personal communication, March 5th, 2020)
“Same ancestors, same history-we are the same people so we need to be responsible for them, we cannot just abandon brothers and sisters” (Interviewee 9, personal communication, March 6th, 2020)
“Young South koreans do not want to work difficult jobs; most South Koreans want to work in companies, tall buildings, things like that...maybe utilizing more North Korean laborers may help our lack in factory workers…” (Interviewee 3, personal communication, February 19th, 2020)
“South Koreans nowadays are not willing to work for factories” (Interviewee 7, personal communication, February 26th, 2020)
Many of the interviewees expressed interest in the economic benefits of
collaborating with North Korea for labor assistance. During the interview discussions,
the students revealed an interesting societal fact about the South Korean labor
force-young Koreans are detering from labor work and are solely interested in
pursuing white collar jobs. “Young South Koreans do not want to work difficult jobs;
most South Koreans want to work in companies, tall buildings, things like that..
Maybe utilizing more North Korean laborers may help our lack in factory workers…”
(Interviewee 3, Personal Communication, February 19th, 2020). Interviewee 7 added,
“South Koreans nowadays are not willing to work for factories” (Interviewee 7,
Personal Communication, February 26th, 2020).
All interviewees have hopeful perspectives of more joint collaboration activities between the two countries. “If South Korea’s technology and the
North’s resources were combined it would be a perfect combination” (Interviewee 8,
Personal Communication, March 5th, 2020). Interviewee 7 explained just how beneficial economic collaboration could be, describing the need to utilize North Korea natural resources as the lack of resources in South Korea requires companies to import resources thus making the products more expensive (Interviewee 7, Personal
Communication, February 26th, 2020). The resources of both countries fit together like pieces of a puzzle. Continuing economic collaboration could be not only economically beneficial for both countries but also be a step towards a similar economic and governmental system. Korean Inter-Connection
As the generations get younger and younger we have less interest in reunifying and we do not receive much education on the situation (Interviewee 4, personal communication, February 21th, 2020)
Blood wise, relationship wise, I am not very close to my family in North Korea so I think the connection will stop there after my mom passes away (Interviewee 9, personal communication, March 6th 2020)
My grandpa’s brother was from North Korea. Years ago he had opportunities to call him, but they stopped allowing these types of contact. So now my grandpa does not know where his brother is or what he is doing… I probably have family in North Korea then too (interviewee 5, personal communication, February 26th, 2020)
A lot of the separated families have died…. North Korea does not allow them to come see family members any more though (Interviewee 8, personal communication, March 5th, 2020)
The Koreas separated around 70 years ago, therefore leaving the younger
Koreans aged 18-30 nearly two generations removed from a unified Korea.
Consequently, young South Koreans are feeling less emotionally connected to North
Korean issues. All interviewees agreed the lack of the North Korean connection in
South Korea, especially for the younger South Koreans, has affected the overall
perception of the reunification policies. Interviewee 1 explained the younger
generations' tendencies to oppose reunification due to the absence of a cultural and a
government connection. Furthermore, Interviewee 4 added “As the generations get
younger and younger we have less interest in reunifying and we do not receive much
education on the situation.” If South Koreans do not feel as if North Korea has the
same Korean identity, the alacrity of rejoining will not be favorable, as the distance is creating a social and cultural gap between the two Koreas. Reunification
“South Korea would probably experience an economic crisis because our economic difference is so large”
(Interviewee 4, personal communication, February 21st, 2020).
“We have been apart too long, the economic gap is too great so I do not think reunifying is possible”
(Interviewee 3, personal communication, February 19th, 2020).
“We are being a little selfish, money is the main reason young South Koreans do not think it is a good idea to try reunification” (Interviewee 9, March 6th, 2020).
The most common concern among the interviewees was the economical burden
of reunification. The current asymmetry of the two economies could collapse South
Korea’s economy, as witnessed during the German reunification of West and East
Germany. Interviewees are well aware of the fragility of unification; Interviewee 4
explained, “South Korea would probably experience an economic crisis because our
economic difference is so large.” Interviewee 3 agreed, “We have been apart too long,
the economic gap is too great so I do not think reunifying is possible.” Interviewee 9
added some insight to the reasoning, “We are being a little selfish, money is the main
reason young South Koreans do not think it is a good idea to try reunification.”
Monetary concerns are logical as young Koreans are in the beginning stages of
developing personal wealth. Absorbing North Korea without proper economic pre-steps could cause a catastrophic economic crash in South Korea; approaching reunification slowly--over the course of decades--will soften the disparities between the two countries. Conclusion
Continuing economic collaboration
Preserve the inter-Korean connection
Incorporate education of North Korea’s culture
In conclusion, continuing economic collaboration between the Koreas is the
most effective and reasonable option to balance the economies and also preserve the
inter-Korean connection. Nearly all the interviewees hope for reunification, but note
the complexity of the situation and thus conclude total economic and country
reunification is moderately unlikely. South Korea could begin incorporating education
on North Korean culture and history to create a better understanding of the differences
and similarities between the two countries, essentially lessening the fear of the
unknown North. Indeed, if President Moon aspires to rejoin the Koreas, these steps
will need to be taken in order to gain more support from young South Korean citizens. Academic Contributions
Qualitative data from the younger generation (18-30) South Korean citizens.
Contributes to the academic discussions surrounding reunification
Relevance to current world news
The research intends to add on to the socio-economics of the Koreas and the
academic dialogue surrounding Korean reunification. Previous research lacked thought
of cultural and social consequences of unification, and also lacked much qualitative
data of the younger generation. My research focused on the social perspectives of the
younger South Korean and thus gives insight into the perspectives and thoughts of this
specific generation. The topic is relevant as reunification is a current topic in world
news as well as the relationship between the Koreas and the United States. Acknowledgements
Big thank you to my mentor, Professor Brian Lagotte, for being incredibly supportive and helpful on this journey.
Thank you to all who participated in the interview sessions, truly would not have been possible without your eagerness and openness to participate.
And thank you to my family and friends who kept my motivation high and listened to my 3am thoughts.
Big thank you to my mentor, Professor Brian Lagotte, for being incredibly
supportive and helpful on this journey. He is a great mentor, he really pushed me to
perform to my best ability. Thank you to all who participated in the interview sessions,
the project truly would not have been possible without your eagerness and openness to
participate. And thank you to my family and friends who kept my motivation high and
listened to my 3am rambles.. Citations
Ahn, S. (2020, January 7). Moon Seeks Renewed Role in Inter-Korean Relations. The Korea Millard, A. (2018). Reunification on the Korean Peninsula. Korea Observer, 49(2), 191-217.
Herald. Retrieved from http://khnews.kheraldm.com Niederhafner, S. (2013). The Challenges of Reunification:Why South Korea Cannot Follow Germany’s Strategy. Korea Observer, 44(2), 249-287. Bradford, S., Kim, D., & Phillips, K. (2011). Potential economic reforms in North Korea. Park, K., & Bennett, M. (2014). Engaging North Korea with High Culture Soft Power. Pacific Journal of Economic Policy Reform, 14(4), 321-332. Affairs, 87(1), 29-41.
Foley, J. (2003). Korea’s Divided Families. New York: RoutledgeCurzon Son, K. (2006). South Korean Engagement Policies and North Korea. New York: Routledge. Lee, G. (2009). A Soft Power Approach to the Korean Wave. The Review of Korean Studies,
12(2), 123-137.
If you find yourself interested to read the full paper, please email me at