From: andrew@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Andrew Sung Hyun Kim)
Subject: Re: ROH's visit to CHINA
Organization: Northwestern University, Evanston Illinois.
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 05:46:28 GMT

Very interesting and fact filled article, Mr. Leon Lee.  I concurr with
most of what you wrote, but let me just address the portion that I disagree
with.

In article <BvGrn1.Eu@wilber.rich.nt.com> zing@wilber.rich.nt.com (Leon Z. Lee) writes:
>In article <1992Oct1.003659.2303@news.acns.nwu.edu> andrew@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Andrew Sung Hyun Kim) writes:
>
>>establishment of relationship will be very critical.  In coming
>>century something more critical to worry about may be 'economic wars'
>>and 'economic imperialism'.  If EOC and such alliances ever come
>>to fruition, Korea will need all the allies it can get.
>
>However...this is predicated on the assumption that China will
>evolve from her present stagnate socialist position to a vibrant
>economic power.  This also means that a stable political platform
>must exist before the advent of a strong economic relation with
>Korea.
>
>Given China's track record in the past 70 years....I can state
>quite confidently that Chinese Unification will not come about
>without shedding blood. Korea should maintain her distance and
>secure her own economic security 1st before venturing out on
>political intrigues.  Placing all the eggs on the PRC instead
>of trying to balance between the PRC and the ROC will present
>problems for Korea on the internation front with her mainland
>neighbor.  We shall see what fruit this venture shall bring.
>  Leon Z. Lee                         

As for the economic vibrancy and political stability of China...
Let me note that to my opinion that a slow paced change is much better
than an abrupt revolutionary change.  Anytime a fast sudden change occurs
there is chaos and bloodshed; chaos usually take very long time to settle 
down.  The recent demise of USSR is such a case.  I know, I will get much 
disapproval from these who see the present octagenarian leadership of PRC 
as an evil leadership.  But, to me there is reason in their way of
changeing PRC in a slow measured way: slow infusion of capitalistic
system first, I would think that eventually socio-political
reform will follow.  Again, this is my opinion.  Former Yugoslavia
is another example of a country doing fairly well under a strong 
leader, Tito; however, the chaos and bloodshed result when the abrupt
change is allowed to occur.  So, is there stability in PRC?  I will say, 
to a degree yes.  At least stable enough to do business with.  Of course,
I am not advocating for Korean companies to blindly enter into venture
with PRC, again a measured approach would be prudent.  And, yes I believe
PRC will be able to become an economic powerhouse in the future (I will
leave this statement open ended).

Unification of two Chinas is not a critical matter for the survival of
China as whole.  However, reunification of north and south Korea
if it can be worked out without bankrupting the country can be
a very significant economic boost.  I have read a very rosy prediction
by ECONOMIST which predicted that possibility of unification within
5 years is very good, and before the century almost certainty.  
However, I see much problem that lies in the path of unification.
Pitiful conditions of North Korea as reported by the foreign 
correspondent who visited there, shows the disparity of two Koreas.
Lack of food, shelter, etc.... I think becomes more of an obstacle
than catalyst for change, but I can be wrong.


Andrew Sung Hyun Kim        " 'All truth is simple',  is it not doubly a lie?"
andrew@eecs.nwu.edu         " The refinement of morality increase  with  the
andrew@casbah.acns.nwu.edu    refinement of fear "       Friedrich Nietzsche