A December 12 symposium, sponsored jointly by the Chosun Ilbo Unification Research Institute and Yonsei University's Institute on Unification, discussed a theme: "Will the People of North and South Korea, when Unified, be Able to Live in Harmony." Views expressed by the participants were varied. Diverse and in depth analyses of differences in ways of thinking and cultural perceptions of the North and South Koreans were presented. Not a few of them said it would be "difficult for them to live in peace and harmony" if unification is achieved now. But little dissension was aired on the view that the people of the North and South "could live in peace and harmony" if the problems involved are addressed properly from the beginning.

Highlighting the symposium were the outcome of an opinion survey of 600 North Korean emigres here (553 responded) on the status of their life and their perceptions, its analysis and policy measures addressing problems revealed in the survey.

Asked, "Do you think South Koreans understand North Koreans well?" an overwhelming majority of 79% gave negative answers (41% understand little, 38% understand not at all), while only 7% replied affirmatively (2% very well, 5% somewhat), indicating an acute need for South Koreans to understand their counterparts in the North.

Professor of Psychiatry Jon U-taek of Yonsei University expressed in his paper the fear that North Koreans, abruptly confronted with freedom following unification, would perceive it with "anxiety" and harbor psychological burden from "competition." They are also feared to undergo hardship from a distorted notion of money and a sense of economic inferiority. To counter this, he suggested implementing "programs designed to enhance a sense of national community and self-pride and an emotional approach."

"South Korean society is too ill prepared for unification," observed Yun Dok-yong, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, proposing that incentives be given to businesses so that they may employ more North Korean defectors.

North Korean deserters and escapees in the South show a kind of "learned lethargy" from limited perspective of the world arising from a restricted flow of information, the habit of blind obedience, strict education and stern social controls, according to Professor Min Song-gil, dean of the Institute on Unification. Having lived in a system denying religion, he added, they also suffer from spiritual and mental poverty. As positive moves for North Korean defectors to successfully adapt to society here, Professor Min suggested that they be encouraged to cherish hopes for success and a life of abundance, further cultivate traditional Confucian culture common to the two Koreas, and develop hopes for education and strong fraternal affection as Koreans.

(Kim Mi-young, miyoung@chosun.com )