Dec. 15 (Asia Today) -- Speakers on an Asia Today YouTube program called for a civilian-centered approach to Korea's unification movement, arguing that the driving force for unification lies with the Korean people -particularly North Koreans - and that South Korean society must present a clear vision for a unified nation.
Kang Cheol-hwan, head of the North Korea Strategy Center, and Seo In-taek, standing representative of Action for Korean Unification, made the remarks during a special discussion broadcast on Asia Today's YouTube channel on Dec.11.
Seo criticized what he described as a government-centered unification policy rooted in the belief that unification can be achieved through political negotiations between North and South Korea. "In reality, no unification has ever been achieved through political negotiations," he said, adding that in the case of German unification, negotiations came after citizens on both sides had already brought down the Berlin Wall and the direction of unification had effectively been decided.
Kang also expressed skepticism toward government-led approaches. "After living in Korea for 30 years, the conclusion I've reached is that we shouldn't trust and wait for the government," he said.
