Korea, China and Japan are cooperating to some extent economically, but the formation of a political community like the European Union seems a long way off.

The European Union was successful because both the political driving force and economic unity were strong. That Korea, China and Japan have no choice but to rely on one another economically is very positive. But one cannot hope for an East Asian community without political unity."

Germany showed true remorse toward nations that it harmed in World War II like France and Poland. Perhaps because of this, it was able to take the lead in bringing about European unity. But Japan doesn't reflect on its mistakes. China's and Korea's mistrust of Japan is due to that.

What's clear is that even in Japan, there are many more people speaking positively about showing remorse over the past than those who take a negative attitude on the matter. Accordingly, the role of government or political leaders is very important. Germany's leaders have spoken with a positive voice and represented Germany.

Many say that Japan's reflection on its past is insufficient.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi did not visit the Yasukuni Shrine on the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. He also proposed to build the future with neighboring countries. This is a chance for Korea and China. Japan cannot build an East Asian community on its own, but neither can Korea or China. It's much wiser to join hands with one another for the living rather than praying for the dead."

In order to put history in order, what must the government do specifically?

Each government must educate its people so that they abandon prejudice and discrimination against one another's citizens. And representatives of the three nations must gather to form a history committee, and things adopted by the committee must be drafted into policy. European nations formed a joint committee to put history in order and produced textbooks."

Korea and China usually claim that Japan has made mistakes.

Ethnic nationalism flows into chauvinism and becomes the cause of conflict. Most European wars started because of ethnic nationalism. It's dangerous for politicians to use ethnic nationalism. It’s is like a rugby ball -- you never know in which direction it will bounce."

Japan is making the Dokdo islets a disputed region. From a third-person perspective, what do you think?

France and Germany engaged in a similar dispute over the Saarland. In the end, the residents of the Saarland voted to rejoin Germany. Of course, uninhabited islets like Dokdo are a different matter. The same goes for the Diaoyu islands, disputed between China and Japan. Yet they are not something one can fight over to the fullest. Accordingly, resolving the matter once and for all through the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and submitting to the results could be a good way to move toward the future."

But China and Korea oppose taking the matters to the ICJ.

Territorial disputes can easily develop into wars. It's better to ease the situation than fight a war. European nations claimed dominion over oil-producing regions in the North Sea, but they are now peacefully using the area after resolving the issue in the ICJ. It's good to know that the ICJ is one method of alleviating a situation.

Is it a threat to peace in Northeast Asia if Japan becomes a military powerhouse?

Economic integration among the three countries could prevent the threat of war in this region. Millions of graves in Europe show the ugliness of war. To eliminate war completely, however, it is necessary to promote political integration. Economic integration, however perfect it may be, is bound to bend before nationalism if it isn’t accompanied by political integration. There were huge anti-Japanese demonstrations in China, for example. Anti-Japanese sentiment spread across the country like wildfire. But when the demonstrations spread uncontrollably, the government stopped them immediately. Had the situation deteriorated further, something terrible could have happened. But they were suspended because of economic necessity.”

Would you offer advice, as a unification specialist, on the crisis the Korean Peninsula faces because of the North Korean nuclear standoff?

When West Germany dealt with East Germany, the most important policy was patience. When Willy Brandt visited East Germany, many people opposed it. But you can’t demand regime change in a brotherly country. It invites only conflict and isolates the other side. Brandt always called for gradual change. He accepted the realities and pursued changes gradually.

Many South Koreans are concerned about excessive unification costs.

Germany thought unification would be easy, but since then they have spent over 3 trillion euros. But there is no alternative. As West Germany was rich while East Germany was poor, it was natural for the rich to help the poor. Korean politicians should educate their citizens that they must make the sacrifice to achieve unification.”

Translated from the Korean by Chosun English News Team staff

(englishnews@chosun.com )