[Opinion] Reunions show path to reunification

I was sitting in a broadcasting studio on the August 15 Liberation Day. I thought I had many things to say, but watching the scenes of reunited families hugging one another and weeping loudly, it became speechless with the overwhelming emotions and sorrow.

It seems to be the first time in my life that I could not speak when I was supposed to speak at panel meetings. And I had framed logic about reunification and unity for myself, but I have never so deeply felt that the inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation are pressing and indispensable, even without any logical explanations.

Nonetheless, the just-ended heartbreaking reunions of the separated families between the two Koreas provided an occasion for us to review all aspects of our society.

What is reunification? We have orchestrated the necessity of reunification with a view to building a strong and wealthy nation, accelerating economic development, realizing a free and affluent society. But watching the scenes of family reunions, I came to realize that reunification does not lie with vociferous slogans but in myriad minor things.

What does it matter, even if we eke out a little scanty livelihood in the process of national reunification? Will this mishap be greater than the pains that the separated relatives are suffering? Will the joy of victory that was won by defeating the rival regime by means of confrontations and internecine war be greater than the joy of the modest reunions of long-lost relatives?

We cannot but think that, what is the use of the grandiose reunification theories that are unable to address such a long-cherished but simple desire for reuniting with beloved ones. Now is the time for the nation to realize small but pressing things rather than the pursuit of rhetoric in reunification policy for which multitudes of minor things were sacrificed. Isn`t it rather humanitarian and realistic?

While seeing the crying families, I felt sorry for the vociferous reunification theorists, thinking that I, myself, could be one of them.

When they praised the superiority of their own ruling structures and advocated their own reunification formulas, the displaced families remained despondent behind the backstage. As the mutual rivalry and confrontations were deteriorating, the displaced families` disappointment became greater. With the worsening inter-Korean relations, they were even mobilized for attacking the rival side, where their parents, brothers and sisters and other relatives are residing.

In the process, the drafted people were obliged to pretend to be loyal to the state where they lived or defected while refraining from expressing their candid views, and for that matter they have become essential personalities. And I felt sorry to watch my former teachers and other North Korean visitors advocating reunification polemics, hiding their natural and simple, inner-most thoughts. I wish they wouldn`t do so in the future.

After all, if the veils of the different systems and ideologies are uncovered even for some time, they are no more than simple scientists, medical doctors, historians and bureaucrats. Then conversation with them will become comfortable, their awkward behavior become refined, and they could become useful persons for both Koreas.

If the separated families meet more often, the events would not become the worldwide news it was this time, but rather it would be a very natural and ordinary event, in which there are no tears but jokes and smiles. In this process, the two sides will be able to understand each other, and on the basis of the understanding, reunification problems could be discussed in a more comfortable atmosphere.

The two Koreas also will realize that their mutual meetings are useful and practicable. This is the most proper reunification formula for the people as a whole, to replace the conventional one advocated by certain reunification policy makers. And this will be a most honest and viable reunification policy, based on a genuine consensus if the policy makers from the two sides and reached in the course of their face-to-face meetings and exchanges of frank views.

It is my earnest desire that the my former teachers and other North Korean visitors may feel true brotherly love during the course of their conversations with their South Korean kin, and convey it to their compatriots in the North, as it is. Lastly, I sincerely hope that they go back safely to their hometowns in a good shape.

Cho Myung-Chul/reseach fellow at Korea International Institute for Economic Policy(KIEP) (Defected from North Korea in 1994)