Feb. 20 (UPI) — South Korea has long been heralded for its economic prowess and rapid modernization, emerging as a global leader in technology, trade and cultural exports.
However, the recent political turmoil around the impeachment of President Yoon has revealed deep-seated flaws in the nation’s governance, economy and social fabric.
Similarly, North Korea continues to suffer under a totalitarian regime that stifles its people’s potential and isolates the nation from global progress.
The dysfunction on both sides of the peninsula transcends mere political struggles, reflecting a fundamental crisis that threatens the long-term stability and prosperity of the Korean people.
The ultimate solution to these challenges lies in the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula, creating a new nation rooted in the vision of the Korean Dream, based on the Hongik Ingan ideal.
A new nation recognizing the source of human rights and freedom
A truly free and just society must acknowledge that the origin of human rights and freedom is God — a transcendent being who grants dignity and liberty to all people. A unified Korea must be a nation that not only protects these rights, but also harmonizes the best of the East and the West.
By integrating Korea’s rich cultural heritage of moral responsibility and collective harmony with Western traditions of individual freedom and democracy, this new nation can set an example for the world in building a just and prosperous nation.
A society divided and fractured
South Korea’s current turmoil has exposed deep-rooted fragmentation within its society. Political discourse has devolved into a battleground of ideological extremes, where progressives and conservatives prioritize factional victories over the common good.
This division, arising from the Cold War framework, extends beyond politics, influencing social interactions, media narratives and corporate decision-making. It has led to a fractured nation, unable to forge a cohesive vision for the future. Meanwhile, North Korea remains isolated, exacerbating the disunity that prevents a shared national identity.
Institutional erosion and distrust
In this environment, the judiciary and prosecutorial systems, instead of serving as pillars of justice, have been weaponized to serve political and corporate interests. Successive administrations either have fallen victim to judicial crackdowns or used legal mechanisms to target opponents, creating an environment in which the rule of law is perceived as arbitrary and politically motivated.
This erosion of institutional integrity has diminished public trust in the nation’s ability to uphold fairness and transparency. In North Korea, political oppression and the absence of rule of law further deepens the crisis, leaving its people without recourse to justice or political representation.
Economic inequality and structural corruption
While South Korea’s economic rise is often praised, the dominance of chaebols (large family-controlled conglomerates) underscores the nation’s deep structural inequality. These corporate giants, entrenched in political favoritism, stifle competition and perpetuate an economic hierarchy that marginalizes smaller businesses and entrepreneurs.
Corruption, cronyism and economic monopolization hinder innovation and social mobility, exacerbating inequality and social unrest. In North Korea, the state-controlled economy fosters extreme poverty and dependence on illicit activities for survival. The economic disparities between the two Koreas highlight the need for unification under a just economic system that empowers all citizens.
Reforming the financial and banking system
A unified Korea must reform its financial and banking systems to ensure that all citizens — not just chaebols or political elites — can access capital and opportunities. The current system, which concentrates financial power in a few large conglomerates, stifles creativity and economic mobility.
By decentralizing financial resources, encouraging entrepreneurship and enabling easy access to funding, a unified Korea can foster a thriving economy in which young people and small businesses drive innovation and growth. Contrary to concerns about the cost of unification, this new nation will attract private investment from around the world, creating unparalleled economic opportunities, especially for the younger generation.
Decline of the traditional family model
A well-functioning constitutional republic requires moral and ethical citizens, yet South Korea has seen a deterioration in its traditional family structure, which has historically served as the foundation for character development and social harmony.
The decline of the three-generational family model has weakened the cultivation of moral values, interpersonal relationships and a sense of responsibility across generations. As family bonds erode, so too does the ethical foundation upon which a stables society depends.
In North Korea, family structures have been severely damaged by state interference, forced separations and economic hardship. Reviving the traditional family model, in which all members can cultivate healthy character and relationships through a three-generational structure, must be a core foundation for a unified Korea.
An identity crisis: The need for a unifying national vision
The chaos in South Korea’s political sphere and the oppression in North Korea are symptomatic of a larger crisis of identity. The Korean peninsula lacks a unified vision rooted in fundamental and universal principles that transcend partisan interests and ideological divides. The absence of a shared ethos has led to inconsistent policies, wavering approaches to inter-Korean relations and unpredictable domestic reforms.
Without a clear sense of national purpose, Korea remains vulnerable to internal discord and external pressures. Unification offers the opportunity to establish a new national ethos based on the Korean Dream –one that aspires to fulfill the Hongik Ingan ideal of benefiting all humanity by creating a just and moral society.
Conclusion: The path to true national renewal
South and North Korea stand at a critical juncture where superficial political reforms will not suffice. The Korean people must undergo a comprehensive renewal that addresses systemic weaknesses across all aspects — political, economic and social –through the peaceful unification of the peninsula.
A new Korea must recognize that true freedom and human rights originate from God, ensuring a government that protects these rights while harmonizing the strengths of Eastern moral heritage and Western democratic values. Reviving the traditional family model, restoring moral values and creating a just economic system that empowers all citizens will be essential to building this new nation.
Far from being a financial burden, unification will attract private investment and generate unprecedented opportunities, especially for young people. By reforming the financial and banking systems, enabling broad access to capital and fostering a truly free and competitive economy, a unified Korea will unlock the full potential of its people.
By embracing the Korean Dream based on the Hongik Ingan ideal, a unified Korea can overcome its historical limitations and dysfunctions, paving the way for true and lasting peace and prosperity. Now is the time for the Korean people to reclaim their shared providential destiny and forge a new future through peaceful unification rooted in the Korean Dream.
Youngjun Kim is vice chairman of UPI. The views expressed in this article are his own and are not a statement of UPI’s editorial views.
