“Inner Unity - A common challenge for Germany and Korea”

Korea and Germany celebrated 130 years of diplomatic relations with a conference on 5 June, organized by the German political foundations in Seoul, the National Unification Advisory Council, and the Ministry for Unification of the Republic of Korea.

Vice Minister for Unification Kim Nam-sik talked about the current inner-Korean situation and said that German integration serves as a model for Korea.

Dr. Anna Kaminsky heads the Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the Communist  Dictatorship in Germany. She spoke about the level of conformity that was required from ordinary citizens under communist rule, the punishment of the representatives of the system, and the compensation of the victims. Today, many former East Germans feel disillusioned and see themselves as “2nd class citizens” in the united Germany. It will take more than one generation to overcome the consequences of 40 years of separation.

Civil rights activist Freya Klier said that shortly before the wall came down, few believed ever to witness this happening. Different identities had emerged in both parts of the country while it was divided. Reconciliation will take time, even more so in Korea, because it has been divided even longer and because of the isolation of the people in the North. After telling her own childhood memories, it became clear to the audience, how much children were brainwashed under communist rule. The extent and the effects of this were underestimated in Germany.

Axel Schmidt-Gödelitz is president of the East-West-Forum, which organizes encounters between former East and West Germans, as well as between functionaries and collaborators of the secret service of East Germany and their victims. By telling each other their personal biographies and experiences, and by listening sympathetically, prejudices can be overcome. Understanding, rapprochement and forgiveness become possible. Since last year, similar talks take place between South Koreans and North Korean refugees.

Elke Urban explained the changes in the educational system of the East German States since the reunification, in which she took part. She runs the School Museum in Leipzig, where one can experience a lesson, how it was held in East Germany, and get an idea of how students were indoctrinated and why they mostly avoided conflict with their teachers.

Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Konrad Adenauer Foundation and Hanns Seidel Foundation are glad that more than 200 guests attended the conference at Korea Press Center.