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Post by truth on Feb 3, 2018 22:31:15 GMT -5
If two Koreas were ever to unify in the near future, the adminstrative divisions created by NK regime will most likely be reversed to the way it was back before the division since South Korea does not recognize NK adminstrative divisions and names. There's even an government body(pretty much an honarary one at this point) dedicated for the North region. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_for_the_Five_Northern_Korean_ProvincesCurrent administrative divisions of North Korea Map of North Korean provinces recognized under South Korean law South Korea does not recognize Chagang-do and Yanggang-do, so they'll respectively be returned back to Northern Pyeongan Province and Southern Hamgyeong Province. South Korea does not recognize division of Hwanghae-do into North and South Hwanghae Provinces, so they'll be restored back to one Hwanghae Province. Wonsan is part of South Hamgyeong Province under South Korean law, not Kangwon Province, therefore it'll be put back into Southern Hamgyeong Province. Kaesong is part of Gyeonggi Province under South Korean law, so it'll be put back into Gyeonggi Province. Original name/provincial division vs City/Town name/provincial division changed by NK regime Youngheung, South Hamgyeong Province - Lee Seonggye's hometown. Changed by NK because name is dedicated to Lee dynasty. The name means "Long Live(Lee Dynasty)." vs Geumya(means "Golden Field"), South Hamgyeong Province Shinpa, South Hamgyeong Province vs Kim Jongsuk(Name of Kim Jong-Il's mother), Yanggang Province. Ungi, North Hamgyeong Province vs Seonbong(means "Front Line[of Communism]"), North Hamgyeong Province Twejo, South Hamgyeong Province vs Rakwon(means "Paradise[of Communism]"), South Hamgyeong Province Huchang, North Pyeongan Province vs Kim Hyeongjik(Name of Kim Il-Sung's father), Yanggang Province Pungsan, South Hamgyeong Province vs Kim Hyeongwon(Name of Kim Il-Sung's uncle), Yanggang Province Oro, South Hamgyeong Province vs Youngwang(means "Forever Shine[Kim Il-Sung's legacy]"), South Hamgyeong Province Kyeongheung, North Hamgyeong Province - Changed by NK because name is dedicated to Lee dynasty. The name means "Prosper(of Lee Dynasty)." vs Eundeok(means "Indebtedness[of Kim Il-Sung]"), North Hamgyeong Province Kyeongwon, North Hamgyeong Province - Town where Lee Seonggye's family lived for generations before LSG. Changed by NK because name is dedicated to Lee dynasty. The name means "Origin(of Lee Dynasty)." Jeong Dojeon came up with the town's name. vs Saebyeol(means "New Star[of Korea, a.k.a Kim Il-Sung]"), North Hamgyeong Province Seongjin, North Hamgyeong Province vs Kim Chaek(Name of Kim Il-Sung's best buddy), North Hamgyeong Province All Communist city/town names and provincial changes will be restored back to how it was before the division.
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Post by sageuk on Feb 4, 2018 0:17:34 GMT -5
Unification, huh. I met a man who escaped from North Korea. He's old enough to have lived through the Korean War. He once spoke at some public conference that celebrated the day of the ceasefire that he hoped the two Koreas would become one again.
I've been reading books about North Korean escapees lately. One of them was written by a half-Japanese man whose father moved the family there after buying into the socialist utopia propaganda.
If reunification does happen, there will probably similarities with Germany's situation. They say it cost 2 trillion euros for the process to happen. Imagine how much it would cost for Korea.
THere's also cultural integration to take into consideration. North Korea has been isolated from the world and the citizens have had "Glory to the Great Leader" hammered into their heads since childhood.
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Post by truth on Feb 4, 2018 1:12:27 GMT -5
\ I've been reading books about North Korean escapees lately. One of them was written by a half-Japanese man whose father moved the family there after buying into the socialist utopia propaganda. If you are interested in NK escapees, I recommend Channel A's "Now on my way to meet you." It's a talk show that has NK escapees sharing their experience in North Korea. There is a man named Kim Juseong, who is also a 3rd generation Korean born in Japan whose grandfather took him to NK believing it was a socialist paradise, on this show. Another show I recommend is Channel A's "Let's Live Well," which is a variety show that has NK escapees from the above show living with Korean celebrities in countryside learning about SK culture and sharing NK culture. Choi Sujong is the main MC for this show. This is one clip from the show. NK escapee girl named Mihyang ordering coffee for the first time. CSJ is having the fun of his life time lol If reunification does happen, there will probably similarities with Germany's situation. They say it cost 2 trillion euros for the process to happen. Imagine how much it would cost for Korea. THere's also cultural integration to take into consideration. North Korea has been isolated from the world and the citizens have had "Glory to the Great Leader" hammered into their heads since childhood. Korea will most likely choose gradual reunification rather than the instant reunification that Germany did. The government knows that the cost that comes with instant reunification would be chaotic and might destroy SK's economy. NK will probably be operated separately from SK for a time being like China and Hong Kong's case. SK will probably name a Prime Minister to NK and will give time to NK until complete reunification is possible. During a certain period of time, SK would introduce democracy and capitalism to NK, reverse the brainwashing of NK citizens, build modern infrastructures, raise NK's economy up to certain point, and narrow down the cultural differences between the two Koreas. Visiting NK from SK and vice versa would be restricted during this time. Exceptions would be given to separated families from Korean War and NK escapees who are already residing in SK.
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Post by ajk on Feb 5, 2018 21:55:05 GMT -5
Great post truth. And just like both of you I've wondered about the cost issue too. I remember Germany had set aside some money to help cover the cost. Does SK have any kind of a reunification fund?
The damage that's been done to that country's people, fixing it is incredibly difficult and will take decades. All of the lifelong brainwashing, I mean, plenty of people just won't be able to let go. That's what scares me about the US getting involved. Even if we try to help fix things, we've been so demonized by their government--would anybody even want our help or would they violently reject it? I've heard the younger people in the country are much more skeptical of Kim Jong-un, so eventually things should improve but it sure won't happen quickly.
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Post by truth on Feb 5, 2018 23:23:26 GMT -5
Does SK have any kind of a reunification fund? I'm not sure, but instant reunification like Germany is not desired at all since NK is among the poorest countries in the world. Unlike East Germany, which was the richest Communist country at the time. The damage that's been done to that country's people, fixing it is incredibly difficult and will take decades. All of the lifelong brainwashing, I mean, plenty of people just won't be able to let go. According to recent NK escapees, many people are already aware that their leaders are the bad guys and SK & USA are the good guys but they just can't share that opinion in public in fear of getting executed. This is why there is no uprising in NK and most people who know the truth tend to just defect to SK instead of rising up against the government. All NK defectors that have been brainwashed go through a process of reverse process when they get to SK, which is about a half year process. Many of them get shocked to learn that it was NK that invaded the South first, not the US & South as they were taught by their regime and refuse to believe it. They acknowledge the fact that South is the better and richer country today, but the brainwashing had been so imbedded that they couldn't belive that the North invaded first. However, they eventually come to accept the fact that everything they've been taught in NK were all brainwashing. The same can be done in NK although it might be harder to do that to an entire population of 24 million people compared to the defectors who pretty much live together in a housing built by South Korean secret agency and go through SK's "reverse-brainwashing" process for 6 months. Many NK escapees have said that they are ready to get on the front-line to teach the truth to their NK brethrens when two Koreas are unified, so it might not be as bad. If NK regime somehow goes away this year and a new regime under SK guidance comes in, and Korea enters a process of gradual reunification, I give it 10-15 years until complete reunification.
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Post by sageuk on Feb 6, 2018 17:48:32 GMT -5
I've heard that discrimination based on what region you're from is a thing in South Korea. I've even heard stories of escapees who hide where they're from because the last time some South Koreans found out that a person was a Northerner, they started treating him badly. Is it possible that discrimination towards Northerners will end up being applied even if the Koreas reunite?
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Post by truth on Feb 6, 2018 21:05:41 GMT -5
Is it possible that discrimination towards Northerners will end up being applied even if the Koreas reunite? I'm not sure, but this is why I said there needs to be a gradual unification, not instant. Koreans need time to understand each other. Of course, the unification needs to happen under South Korean flag and democracy if it happens.
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Post by truth on Mar 11, 2018 20:43:18 GMT -5
It seemed like a Second Korean War might break out anytime soon, but it seems like that's no longer the case with the meeting between Trump and Kim Jong Un happening by May although they could have a fallout and war might actually happen in worse case scenario.
I don't like how America and SK has to guarantee safety of KJU's regime in trade with his nuclear weapons though.
Guaranteeing KJU regime's safety means there is no reunification anytime soon, if ever, and the Kim dynasty could go on forever.
It's funny because NK history books teach that the monarchy is the worst type of government for people to the point that they even downgrade YSS's name for being a king's loyal stooge and that Communist government is the best etc, but NK regime is basically a monarchy.
If KJU stays in power, they might go ahead with the Goryeo Union system proposed first by Kim Il-Sung.
Because SK does not recognize NK's official Korean name "Joseon" and NK does not recognize SK's official Korean name "Daehanminguk", Kim Il-Sung proposed forming of Goryeo Union in which SK and NK would be reunified under 1 country 2 systems principle like China and Hong Kong.
The official Korean name of this country would be Goryeo.
NK has always maintained this proposal for reunification since KIS first proposed it while the SK conservatives have always refused to recognize NK regime's legitimacy and seeked to absorb NK followed by sudden collapse of NK regime or getting rid of NK regime through a possible war in worse case scenario.
SK liberals, on the other hand, while disagreeing with NK's 1 country 2 systems proposal, agreed with forming the Goryeo Union.
SK liberal version of Goryeo Union wasn't 1 country 2 systems as proposed by NK, but a Korean version of European Union.
Under this version of Goryeo Union, SK and NK will remain 2 countries with their respective political systems, while forming a Korean version of European Union with 2 Korean member states.
The two states would then work together through Goryeo Union to form one country one day whether it takes 100 years, less, or more.
The past SK liberal presidencies agreed to forming such union with NK, which was pretty much scrapped off by the following conservative presidents.
Now that current SK president is once again a liberal, however, it looks like they are gonna go ahead with the Goryeo Union plan if the talk between Trump and Kim go well. Forming such union has always been one of election pledges of Moon, the current president, since he first ran for president in 2012.
Here's my guess on how this Goryeo Union is going to be like.
Just as EU designated Brussels as the capital city of EU, the capital of Goryeo Union would be Kaesong, the capital city of Goryeo dynasty.
Seoul would be referred to as Namgyeong(the southern capital) and Pyongyang would be referred to as Seogyeong(the western capital) as they were called back in Goryeo dynasty.
Sad if this happens because I don't want KJU staying in power. If this was to happen, KJU should at least open NK up, institute Chinese style capitalism, and legalize Kpop & SK dramas&films, because it just doesn't make any sense to form an union with such a closed authoritarian society like NK. I highly doubt KJU would do that though, because opening up their country to the free world means end of KJU's regime.
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Post by ajk on Mar 13, 2018 2:49:21 GMT -5
A lot of interesting stuff here that I hadn't read before--thanks for sharing it. And I agree with you completely. It would be ridiculous for SK to agree to all that. Changing Seoul's name just to make NK happy? And why should SK want to help Kim stay in power? They don't owe him anything.
Frankly this whole thing just sounds like another episode of NK making nice because they want some economic relief, so they can go back to being belligerent again in another year or two.
The only thing that gives me some hope is those news reports that their nuclear testing facility had a horrible catastrophe and is unusable now. If they can't test any more weapons for a long time then maybe they're trying to bargain for whatever they can get right now.
Trump had better be careful or NK will play him for a fool. What scares me is that he needs to study up and learn the situation and learn Korean history...but apparently he never studies or prepares much for anything.
That union plan sounds unrealistic. Is there any way to unite two such totally different countries unless one government or the other agrees to give up power? They can sit and talk in Kaesong for as long they want to but if SK gives in to anything that makes it more vulnerable, they're asking for trouble.
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Post by truth on Mar 13, 2018 12:31:10 GMT -5
Changing Seoul's name just to make NK happy? I didn't mean that they would change Seoul's name. Namgyeong would just be an another name for Seoul as that was also Hanseong(Seoul's old name)'s another name back in Goryeo dynasty. What I said also isn't their official plan, it's just my guess on how things are gonna be like if they go ahead with the Goryeo Union plan. And why should SK want to help Kim stay in power? B/C otherwise Kim will continue to threaten SK and the world with nuclear weapons apparently. Frankly this whole thing just sounds like another episode of NK making nice because they want some economic relief, so they can go back to being belligerent again in another year or two. Well, Trump did say that he won't make the same mistake that the past administrations did, so we'll just have to see I guess. That union plan sounds unrealistic. Is there any way to unite two such totally different countries unless one government or the other agrees to give up power? Exactly. KJU needs to go. The sooner the better. He deserves to be tried and executed under SK law, but I'd say let him live freely somewhere in places like Switzerland if he willingly gives up his power. I mean the only reason he's so desperate to stay in power is because he knows he would have to be executed for the crimes he committed if he loses power. If then, secure him his pathetic life and give him some money to live somewhere else and we have a free North Korea. Wishful thinking on my part.
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Post by sageuk on Mar 13, 2018 15:04:25 GMT -5
Never trust what Trump says
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Post by truth on Mar 25, 2018 16:20:06 GMT -5
South Korea to hold a Kpop concert in North Korea on April 1st.
Participants include Jo Yongpil, Lee Seonhee, Yun Dohyeon, Baek Jiyoung, and Red Velvet
There's also a rumor of Psy going there as well.
Imagine Psy singing Gangnam Style in Pyongyang lol.
Will this change anything? Will North Koreans finally come out of closet after watching this?
Probably not.
This is not the first time they did this.
South Korean artists have been performing there during the entire 10 years of last liberal presidencies in early to mid 2000s.
Nothing changed.
North Korean reaction to 2003 Kpop performance lol
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Post by ajk on Mar 26, 2018 13:14:20 GMT -5
That gets funnier and funnier the longer it goes on. What a great clip.
Really don't understand the point of even having a concert like that. The only people who'd be allowed to attend are the high political elites, and they're not going to like that kind of a performance anyway. Plus they're the ones who keep K-pop away from the NK people so if I were a performer and the SK government asked me to do it I'd have very mixed feelings.
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Post by truth on Apr 1, 2018 21:19:29 GMT -5
Kim Jong Un attends Kpop concert in Pyongyang KJU meets Kpop girl idol band Red Velvet Kim Jong Un's picture with Red Velvet's member Irene(right) Never thought I'd see this day lol
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Post by sageuk on Apr 1, 2018 21:53:35 GMT -5
I wonder what that girl is thinking during that picture? Freaking out over the fact she's standing next to a notorious dictator of a neighboring country that's been an enemy of her homeland for over 60 years?
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