Governor Kim and Exchange Camp for College Student Journalists 

“Youth from South and North express wishes for national unification and prosperity!”

– Gyeonggi Province college student journalists and North Korean defector college students recite the “North and South Youth Unification Declaration”

– Governor Kim Moon-soo asserts “Unification is the fastest way to build close relations with China and Europe”

“I’ve never gave the unification of South and North deep thought until now. But after meeting North Korean defectors of about my age, I changed my opinion. After hours of talking, I discovered we share the same roots. It was a moving experience.”

The 3rd Exchange Camp for Gyeonggi Province College Student Journaliststook place for three days from April 1st to 3rd. The program included trips to the site of the ROKS Cheonan (PCC-772) sinking, Imjingak Pavilion, and Panmunjeom. Kim Hanna (Junior in the Department of Information & Communication of Engineering, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies) made the statement cited above about her experience during the two-day camp, adding that she felt as if she’d adopted a much more mature view on asubject she once considered irrelevant.

Those who participated in the Gyeonggi Province College Journalist Camp visited the DMZ and participated in a camp at the Gyeonggi English Village Paju Campus under the slogan “ONE+ONE, Jump up Korea!” The young journalists and North Korean-born college students received a chance to learn about the importance of unification during their three days together.

The college students were also given the opportunity to participate in a debate on future visions of unification at a “South-North Youth Student Conference.” The most debated subject was whether or not the South should continue to send aid to the North. Students shared their candid opinions on the issue, questioning the very need forunification itself.

Some were in favor of unification because of its historical significance and national status in the long run while the rest were skeptical due to the astronomic economic expenses in the aftermath.

A student said, “Statistics show that unification will cost KRW 2.5 quadrillion until 2040. How will the people be able to bear such a burden? Germany’s economy suffered for a decade after its unification. Korea’s situation will be much worse.”

On the other hand, a defector remarked, “There are about twenty thousand defectors in South Korea, most of whom send the money they earn in South Korea to the North to support their families. South Korea is short of unskilled labor. If the nation unites at last, North Korean labor will solve thisshortage and their earnings will be enough to support all two million North Koreans.

College Student Journalists’ Student Head Yang Sang-jin (Department of Law, Sangmyung University) said, “Unification will be a bitter pill to swallow from an economic perspective. It will be hard on our generation but, in the long run, it will solve the labor shortage and attract more foreign investment. It’s akin togetting well after swallowing a bitter medicine or ailing longer while we wait. I believe the first option is the better one.”

Heated debate continued on the matter of sending aid to the North. When a defector was asked whether or not people in the North should benefit from the support, he put it very simply: “When the materials arrive,they take pictures as a souvenir and send it off to high-ranking soldiers, rich families, or the middle-class. I personally wish it went around equally to all the peopleregardless of their wealth and social status.”

Another defector shared his experience of receiving beef sent by the UN, giving the participants a detailed account of what is really going on in the North. He said, “While the UN officials were watching they handed out five kilograms each. However, when the UN staff left, they collected back all the beef and gave us 500 grams each instead. I want people to realize that there is a flipside to the Sunshine Policy. Aid must be accompanied by vigorous management and monitoring.”

Participants also visited the site where the ROKS Cheonan sankto mourn the victims of the attack. The program’s purpose was to raise awareness of the importance ofnational security. The visit inspired the students to learn more about the situation between the South and North so that one day the conflict mightcome to an end for good.

After the debate, all the students gathered together to recite the “North and South Youth Unification Declaration,” affirming that South Korea and North Korea have the same origins, and the youth from both countries wished for a peaceful unification, as they believe that it is the only way to become a prosperous nation

Governor Kim Moon-soo, who accompanied the students during this ceremony, remarked, “The need for unification must be seen from multiple angles. We tend to lean towards the economic and military effects and overlook the historic aspect. Now we are virtuallyan island surrounded by barbed wire. Once we are united, we will no longer be confined to air and marine travel. If we were better connected with the continent, Koreans would be able travel to China and even Europe by land. Overseas travel would become much easier. Imagine the possibilities if roads and railroads were built.”

Governor Kim pointed out the positive effects of unification. “If we become one nation at last, the North will provide us with an opportunity. It may even solve the low youth employment rate in South Korea. Unification is a goal we must achieve for a better future.” He further added that, “The defectors are specialists in the unification issue. We must listen, learn, and do our part in achieving our goal.”

On the afternoon of the same day, the College Student Journalists visited Jangjamaeul in Pocheon where there is a village of lepers. The students spent the rest of the day with the residents learning about the sad history of the small town.

The students visited the Second Fleet Command’s naval base in Pyeongtaek Cityto see the remains of the ROKS Cheonan on the first day of camp. They moved on to Paju, the Dora Observatory at Dorasan Station, and the Joint Security Area. On the last day of the camp the entire group toured the stretch between Imjingak Pavilion and Chopyeongdo Island by bicycle.