Implications of East Germany and Central and Eastern Europe’s Systemic Transition for Korean Reunification

This paper seeks to draw insights for the reunification of South and North Korea through the cases of East Germany and Central and Eastern Europe, which attempted systemic transitions to democracy and market economies following the collapse of socialism. Extensive research has accumulated on the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification in 1989/90. However, by analyzing transitions from single-party, planned economic systems to pluralistic democratic political systems in Central and Eastern Europe, it is essential to develop scholarly discussions on peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula, regardless of how the future unfolds. A clear finding from the systemic transitions in Central and Eastern Europe is that, while institutional establishment is crucial for transformation, it is equally important that people’s awareness and consciousness support democracy and market economics. The rise of far-right populism and authoritarianism in East Germany and Eastern Europe highlights the importance of both institutions and consciousness. In this regard, South and North Korea must prepare for systemic transition based on mutual trust through ongoing exchanges.