This essay presents excerpts from a discussion on the prospects of Korean unification, analyzing North and South Korea’s political systems through a historical lens.
It examines the proposed “Koryo Federation,” security integration, the potential withdrawal of U.S. forces, and China’s strategic role.
The dialogue also highlights structural limitations in both Koreas and contrasts the situation with German reunification.

2019-01-23
The North is openly an “ancient dynasty,” and the South is an “incompletely modernized state,” which makes a regression to antiquity easier.
Incidentally, the characteristics of antiquity are “autocratic rule, class hierarchy, and monumental construction.”
Hasn’t the scenario for full North–South unification already been coordinated?
Isn’t the two Koreas already effectively one body?
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In this chapter, I introduce excerpts from pages 56–57.
(Opening omitted.)
Fujii
This is Professor Furuta’s specialty, but it is said that Maeng Kyong-il, deputy director of North Korea’s United Front Department, visited South Korea as part of the PyeongChang Olympic delegation and stayed for nearly a month.
Hasn’t the scenario for complete unification already been coordinated?
Aren’t North and South already one entity?
Furuta
Moon Jae-in considers his administration a revolutionary regime that overthrew a tyrannical government through the Candlelight Revolution.
In spirit, they see themselves as the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam.
Fujii
Exactly.
A revolutionary regime aimed at dismantling the anti-communist Republic of Korea.
Thus the framework becomes North and South Korea versus Japan and the United States.
In the pre-unification stage of a “Koryo Federation,” security and diplomacy would be unified first, with domestic system integration postponed.
If that happens, North Korea would gain the upper hand.
If they can push it that far and secure the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Korea, it would be North Korea’s victory.
Furuta
Even if a federal system were initiated, it would take more than a decade to become stable.
Frankly, neither side has the capacity to achieve unification.
The North is openly an “ancient dynasty,” and the South an “incompletely modernized state,” making regression to antiquity likely.
And the features of antiquity are “autocratic rule, class hierarchy, and monumental construction.”
This is entirely different from German reunification.
Moreover, it is uncertain whether they can even reach a federal stage.
China does not welcome Korean unification.
Fujii
Indeed.
If there is a subtle temperature difference between the two Koreas, it is that the North wants distance from China, while Moon Jae-in in the South does not understand this and believes closeness to China is beneficial.
He may even think that friendly ties with China serve North Korea’s interests.
Furuta
I believe so.
As a state effectively isolated along the 38th parallel, the South lacks any real understanding of China.
Unlike the North, it has no tangible sense of it.
Fujii
From North Korea’s perspective, they might say, “The pro-communist elements in the South still do not understand Juche ideology” (laughs).
Furuta
Moon Jae-in does not understand that North Korea has been holding back Chinese influence.
(Excerpt ends.)