More than 2 million people have perished since 1995 due to hunger. The growth rate of the North's economy from 1990 to 1999 averaged minus 4.3 percent, while the growth rate of the South's economy during the same period averaged 6.2 percent, including the negative growth in 1998. Somalia, Afghanistan, Burundi, Eritrea, Haiti, Congo, and Mozambique are the only nations that are believed to be poorer than North Korea. Unification with the poor North requires money. How much money is needed depends on how the two Koreas are unified as well as post-unification policy objectives.
Unification requires a large sum of money.
I suggest that the South establish a trust fund for unification. A credible unification fund with billions of dollars will help boost public support for unification. Keep in mind that as the North is forced to widen its open door policy, events such as an uprising in the North may force the South to accommodate unification sooner than it plans or even wishes. I doubt it. Although scholars, public officials, and everyone supporting the cause can explore the sources of the unification fund, I suggest that we start with two sources.