It has been Sixty years since the Korean Peninsula parted into two regions; and renewed military confrontation prompted by the recent Cheon-an incident is once again brewing new social problems, hampering economic development - sparking an arms race i...
It has been Sixty years since the Korean Peninsula parted into two regions; and renewed military confrontation prompted by the recent Cheon-an incident is once again brewing new social problems, hampering economic development - sparking an arms race in the process. Though they are only miles apart, families separated during the Korean War are still prohibited from freely bonding with each other.
The basic structure of unification this paper intends to lay out is a single- nation structure, based on a free democratic system, constituted by a peaceful decision making process. Though we can not be certain when such an unified Korean state based on a free democratic system will actually emerge, the need to prepare is deemed imperative in order to avoid confusion after unification.
A comprehensive local self-government system in an unified Korean state is all the more important because it ensures the self-rule of the citizens in the future country, and at the same time, enhances the values of democracy, while stimulating public conscience. Self-government will continue to play a bigger role after unification based on calls from all sectors of society(political, economic, social, cultural), providing an essential pillar for social harmony.
The local self-government of South Korea is currently built on principles of free democracy, the protection of constitutional rights, the division of power; on the contrary, the reciprocal system in the North, is based on the one-party rule system and a concentrated political initiative, leaving little resemblance between the two. However, bearing in mind the fact that North Korea also implements a local self government systems in certain regions, it is safe to say the two systems have developed concurrent with the changes in relevant legislation - the Local Government Act in the South, and the Local Sovereignty Institution Formation Act in the North. Because the future self government structure of an unified Korea will ultimately be based on the current South Korean system, it makes good sense to overhaul the current South Korean system by enhancing the principle of self regulation, and solving the innate problems surrounding the current Broad-Governmental System.
In that sense, the case of Germany and its unification efforts leaves a lasting resonance to Koreans. West Germany, utilizing its economic capacity, succeeded in not only changing its Eastern counter part through cooperation and interaction, but also engaged in a pioneering diplomatic policy which stretched beyond the Western hemisphere and into the former communist states - leading to the formation of a legal basis for an integrated regime. West Germany went as far as to provide financial and technical support of East Germany, while upgrading its own local self- government system.
Korea must take heed of West Germany's efforts, and upgrade its local self-government system by facilitating the involvement of ordinary citizens in the decision making process, while increasing the leeway given to regional governments. In addition, the South Korean government should make fervent efforts to expand its economic fortitude in light of future unification costs, while initiating a strong diplomatic campaign with the four powers(U.S, China, Japan, Russia) surrounding the Korean peninsula. The South Korean government should also make efforts to invigorate cooperation between local self-governments of the two countries.
The South Korean government, based on efforts stated above and additional concessions from both countries, must churn up a comprehensive local self-government system fit for an unified Korean state. Nonetheless, mindful of North Korea's budgetary needs, the expected lack of political consciousness among the North Korean public and the distinctiveness of the two countries, a centralized political system seems apt immediately after unification - followed by a gradual implementation of a local self-government system in the now North Korean region.
For this, it is recommended that the South Korean government set up a government department - as a branch office of the now Ministry of Administration and Security - solely intended to prepare and govern the local self-governing system of the future "North Korean" region. The newly established office shall have three divisions pertaining to administration, budgeting and taxation of the North Korean region; each division enjoying powers parallel to other divisions in the South Korean government, while usurping the powers of the now Department of Unification(South Korea). This scheme eventually aims to realize the gradual modification of the administrative system in the North Korean region. Efforts to transform the North Korean system into a system bearing South Korean traits could start by giving the now North Korean Local People's Assembly legitimate powers and responsibilities, thus successfully converting it into a South Korean style Local Assembly.
Regarding the general structure of the local governments, a viable solution would be to reduce the layer of the local government structure into two: comprised of a layer of pairings between Special cities and Goos, and a similar layer of Does, Special cities, Ordinary cities and Goons. Relevant measures in Dongs(in large cities) and Rhees(in Goons) are subject to special administrative measures, and thus should be progressed accordingly. Taking into account the size and population of an unified Korea, and the historical and demographic elements entailing it, the future number of Does should not exceed ten.
Furthermore, inefficiencies regarding the overlapping of duties between local governments should be dealt by redistributing the powers and functions designated to local governments. Local governments governing Does shall be organized to focus on providing complementary and logistical support for smaller local governments, while the bigger local governments design and implement broad based investment schemes needing comprehensive technical support. In a similar vein, to enhance tailored policies in different regions, the central government should surrender a larger portion of its powers to local governments governing cities and Does.
Unification is in itself the ultimate task that faces us today; and careful planning is the only thing that will minimize the confusion that is sure to follow. By implementing a well-designed local self-government system, an unified Korea will make longer and stronger strides towards becoming one of the most revered countries in the world.