Officially-speaking, North and South Korea are pursuing reunification on the basis of an agreement presupposing the existence of two systems on the Korean peninsula. However, some say that this kind of reunification method is extremely unrealistic due to the relative populations, economic clout and international stature of the two countries, and that as a result a new route to reunification fit for the new conditions has to be put forward.

The Center for Free Enterprise, in a report entitled “The Future of North Korea’s System, Prospects for Reunification, Korea’s Choice for Right Reunification and Policy Directions for Each Field,” explained, “The Korean government should seek out a ‘new road to reunification’ based on core values such as liberal democracy, market economics, world peace and respect for human rights.”

The report pointed out that for the South Korean government to embody a “new road to reunification,” a fundamental shift has to be made in the relationship between South and North Korea.

The report claimed, “The South Korean administration, corporations and the people should end the wrong ‘Sunshine Policy,’ reflect on it, and shift to a policy that appropriately uses tolerance and pressure depending on how North Korea reacts,” and added, “The more changes North Korea accepts, the bigger the carrot should be. The more they refuse to change, the harder the pressure should be in a way that pursues change consistently and strongly.”

Also, the report said, “Priorities between South and North Korea should be modified based on a principled North Korea policy,” and suggested that “we should confirm first the credibility of North Korea’s abolition of nuclear weapons through North-South dialogue and strengthening the international system of cooperation, and then try to carry out exchanges and cooperation in nonpolitical fields, ease military tensions and create peace.

It also said, “It is necessary for Korea to actively suggest dialogue with North Korea regardless of the actual possibility of North Korea accepting it, in order to create conditions for North Korea to move towards reformation and opening up,” but pointed out, “South Korea should not be anxious to achieve during a presidential term and should be careful to watch out for any possibility of using the conversation politically with a presidential or general election ahead.”

“Even though South and North Korea themselves should solve their own problems, they should recognize that it is also a complicated problem related to the interests of the powers around. Therefore not only do they have to closely cooperate with the United States, but they also have to create a friendly atmosphere and understanding about Korea’s reunification by strengthening ties with neighboring countries like China, Japan and Russia.”

The report added, “Now that the difficulties of the totalitarian dictatorship are coming to the attention of the people, Korea should also be ready for an impending and burdensome reunification rather than a gradual and phased one,” and emphasized that “consideration of measures for provision during North Korea’s turmoil, problems of settlement and the rearing of defectors and unity of public opinion for appropriate reunification etc are urgent.”

About the time of reunification the report noted, “Various research published after 2005 expects South Korea to lead the reunification after the collapse of North Korea, and forecasts it to be between 2020 and 2030.”

About the expected form of reunification, it predicted, “If North Korea insists upon totalitarianism and refuses to accept reformation or open its doors; South Korea will lead a reunification based on free democracy and the market economy in the 21st century, given that it is equipped with the will to achieve reunification and the national power to do so.

The report concluded that the time of North Korea’s collapse will be between now and 2022 considering the following; the global trend towards free democracy and market economy, accumulation of problems in North Korea’s system, the gap between the national powers of North and South Korea and the possibility of harsher physical sanctions on North Korea caused by its development of nuclear weapons and missiles.