Korean Nationalism And The Unification Of Korean Peninsula

Since the1950s, Korean peninsular was separated into two states with different political system and ideology, which were mutually hostile. Before the Korean Peninsula was divided, the Korean nationalists had been internal differentiation; some of them accepted the road of the Soviet Union and China, advocating socialism to achieve the nation’s independence. Some of them advocate Americanization or Europeanization to achieve the reunification of the country. After more than60years’division, the two Koreas develop on their roads respectively, the differentiation of Korean nationalism is more pronounced.But the two Koreas have the same strain on culture and nationality, which was the driving force for them to pursue the reunification of Korean peninsular after years of division and hostility. Korean nationalism is divided, but the kernel of Korean nationalism is not changed. The national sentiment, national identity and national cohesion, inspired by the Korean nationalism, are bound to play an important role in the future reunification of the peninsula.Inter-Korean relations developed from hostility to dialogue, from force confrontation to advocating the reunification under "liberty, peace and national unity" three principles in the past60years. The overall relation between two countries is towards a healthier and mature direction. However, it is undeniable that there are still contradictions and conflicts between the two Koreas, including the North Korean nuclear issue, which has become the crux for bilateral relations. There are also disputes on Territorial delimitation and "ROK-US" speech. Towards these problems, the two countries have made some efforts; however, it turns out that these measures can not solve the contradictions between the two countries fundamentally. The two Koreas bargain for their own national interests, ignoring the unified national interests of the Korean peninsulaThe contradiction between the two Koreas is rooted in the confrontation of values as well as the "security dilemma" caused by the deep-seated hostility. In order to solve the contradictions and conflicts between the two countries fundamentally, it is necessary to carry out the integration of values and code of conduct, and their respective national interests to the conversion of a unified national interests. In the process, the unified nationalism ties will certainly play a key role. As the internal driving force to the reunification of the Korean peninsular, Korean nationalism can not only promote the integration of the values in the two countries, providing ideological guidance for the unification of the two Koreas, but also eliminate the "security dilemma" by promoting the recognition. Ultimately,"the boundaries between self and others become blurred", and reintegrate into a unified Korean nation-state.