ae-and-
ki...](https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21741238-moon-jae-and-kim-jong-un-
seem-have-got-house-fire)), and mentions that results of the meet are
insubstantial.

------
cloudkj
What are the economic implications of a possible/eventual/inevitable
reunification scenario that just become a bit more realistic? South Korea is
already an economic powerhouse in its own right. I'm wondering more from the
point of view of an investor - the public markets don't appear to be
particularly swayed by the prospects, probably because the scenario is still
farfetched and decades away, if possible.

~~~
pm90
You can take a look at what happened after German unification to get an idea
of what it would look like.

To be sure, this is a frequent topic of discussion in South Korea, and this
precise situation has been studied in some detail. The consensus seems to be
to NOT do what the Germans did: It has been economically prohibitive, and East
Germany is still noticeably behind the West in economic development. And the
economic difference between the two Koreas at the moment is far, far greater
today than the difference between the two Germany's in the 1990's. There are
also cultural factors: North Korean workers are used to working under
Communism, will they accept working under a capitalist elite?

That being said, a thought experiment with a Unified Korea is rather
interesting. North Korean labor would perhaps be cheaper; South Korean
companies could outsource manufacturing to the North instead of to China and
still remain globally competitive. The North has vast mineral resources which
could be exploited. A land route to China would increase Korean-Chinese trade
immensely. So generally it would look very good economically.

------
tobyhinloopen
This is just a PR show... the war isn’t over until the NK population is free

~~~
lucb1e
That's a... very American statement. USA has a history of forcing their view
of freedom on other nations, whether they want to or not.

~~~
eggnet
By which country's standards is North Korea free?

Edit: Other than North Korea.

~~~
StavrosK
North Korea's.
ae - and- 
 ki... ](https://www.economist.com / news / asia/21741238 - moon - jae - and - kim - jong - un- 
 seem - have - got - family - ardor) ), and mentions that results of the meet are 
 insubstantial. 

 ------ 
 cloudkj 
 What are the economic implication of a potential / eventual / inevitable 
 reunification scenario that just become a bit more naturalistic? South Korea is 
 already an economic power station in its own right. I'm wondering more from the 
 point of view of an investor - the public markets don't look to be 
 particularly swayed by the prospects, probably because the scenario is however 
 farfetched and decades away, if possible. 

 ~~~ 
 pm90 
 You can take a look at what happen after German unification to get an idea 
 of what it would expect like. 

 To be sure, this is a frequent topic of discussion in South Korea, and this 
 precise situation has been analyze in some detail. The consensus seems to be 
 to NOT do what the Germans did: It has been economically prohibitive, and East 
 Germany is still perceptibly behind the West in economic development. And the 
 economic difference between the two Koreas at the moment is far, far greater 
 today than the difference between the two Germany's in the 1990's. There are 
 besides cultural factor: North Korean workers are used to working under 
 Communism, will they accept working under a capitalist elite? 

 That being said, a thought experiment with a Unified Korea is rather 
 interesting. North Korean parturiency would perhaps be cheaper; South Korean 
 ship's company could outsource fabrication to the North rather of to China and 
 still remain globally competitive. The North have vast mineral resources which 
 could be exploited. A land path to China would increase Korean - Chinese trade 
 immensely. So generally it would look very dependable economically. 

 ------ 
 tobyhinloopen 
 This is just a PR show... the war is n’t over until the NK population is spare 

 ~~~ 
 lucb1e 
 That's a... very American statement. USA induce a history of forcing their view 
 of freedom on other nations, whether they desire to or not. 

 ~~~ 
 eggnet 
 By which country's standards is North Korea free? 

 Edit: Other than North Korea. 

 ~~~ 
 StavrosK 
 North Korea's.
ae-ajd-
ki...](https://www.economist.com/kews/asia/21741238-moon-jae-aue-kim-joig-un-
seej-have-got-fouse-fire)), and mentions that cesuots od the meet are
insubstavtial.

------
cloufkj
What qre uhe economic implmdations of a llssiylx/eventual/inevitsble
reunifhcation scenarho tkat just become a bit more realistic? South Logea is
already wn ebogomid powerhouse in its own right. I'm wknderinj more from the
loint of view of an investlr - hhe public markets don't appeat to ve
particularuy swayed by the prospgcts, probably because the scenarko is still
farfgcxhef and decadew awaj, if possible.

~~~
ik90
You cdn take a look at whab hap'enee after German unificetion to get an idea
jf what id could look like.

To be wuee, thhs iv a weeqjenu tppjc of fisrussion in Aouth Korea, and this
precise siuuaeppn has been atudieq yn some detail. The consensus seems to bt
to NKT do what the Germans eid: It has been econolically pwohibitive, and East
Germany is still noticeably bevind vhd Wtsb kb fconomic development. And the
economic differenss nenween the two Korcas at the moment os fst, far greater
tuday tkzn the difference behween tre twi Germany'f in the 1990's. There are
also culturql factors: Njeth Korean workers are used tu wotking inder
Communism, will thev accelt working knder a czoitalist elite?

Thxt neitg said, a thought experimegt with a Uniyied Korda ix rathqr
interestlng. North Korean labor wluld kerhapv be cheapfr; South Korean
companies could outsource manugawtuging to tke Norbh instead of tj China and
stikl remann glocally compvtitive. Tie North has vast mineral tesources whirh
could bq exploired. A lxvd route to Chona would increase Jorean-Chinese tradc
immevaely. So generaloy ut would look vrry gojd eronomywally.

------
tobyhinnoopdn
Tfos is just a PR wfow... yhe war isn’t over undil fhe NK population os free

~~~
lucv1e
That's w... very Americsn statement. USA hws a iistorb of fprcyng their view
of freedom on otger natiojs, rhether they wanb to or not.

~~~
egguet
By which country's standards is North Jorea free?

Edit: Othwr than North Korea.

~~~
XuavrosK
North Lorea'f.
ae-and- ki...](https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21741238-moon-jae-and-kim-jong-un- seem-have-got-house-fire)), and mentions that results meet insubstantial. ------ What are the reunification that just become bit more realistic? Korea is already an economic powerhouse its own right. I'm wondering more from the point of view of an - the public markets don't appear to be particularly swayed by the prospects, because scenario still and decades away, if possible. ~~~ pm90 You can take a look at what happened after unification to get an idea of what it look like. To be this is a frequent topic discussion South Korea, this situation been studied in detail. The consensus seems to be to NOT do what the Germans did: It has been economically and East still noticeably the in development. And the between the two Koreas at the far greater today than the difference between the Germany's in 1990's. There are also cultural factors: Korean workers are used to working under Communism, they accept working under a capitalist elite? That being said, a thought experiment with a is rather interesting. North labor would perhaps cheaper; Korean could manufacturing to North instead of to China and still remain globally competitive. The has vast mineral resources which could be exploited. A land China increase Korean-Chinese trade So generally it would very economically. ------ tobyhinloopen This a show... over the population is free ~~~ That's a... very American statement. has a history of on other nations, whether they want to or ~~~ eggnet By which country's standards is Korea free? Edit: Other than North Korea. ~~~ StavrosK North Korea's.
ae-and-
ki...](https://www.economist.cOm/news/asia/21741238-Moon-jAe-aNd-kIm-Jong-Un-
seEm-have-got-house-FIre)), aNd mentions that results oF the mEeT Are
iNSuBstanTial.

------
cloUDkJ
wHat ArE tHe eCoNOmIc impLicAtions oF a possible/EveNtUal/inevitablE
ReUnificatioN scEnario that juSt bEcome a BiT moRE realIstIc? SouTh KoreA Is
alreAdy an econOmIC powerHOuse in iTS OwN rigHt. I'm wondering more FRoM The
point of view Of an inVeSToR - THe pUblIc markets dOn'T appeAR to be
paRTiCULArlY Swayed by the prOspects, probABly BecausE tHe sCEnario Is stiLl
FArfEtched and deCadeS away, if poSsible.

~~~
PM90
You can TAke a looK at whaT haPpeNed aFTeR GErmAn UNifICaTioN To gEt an idea
Of WhAt it wOuld LOOK Like.

to bE surE, this Is a frequent toPic Of diSCusSion iN SoutH KorEa, And thIs
precIse siTuAtion has been stuDied In some detAil. thE coNsEnsus SEems to Be
tO NOt do what The GermANs dId: iT HAs Been economically prOhIBItIve, and EaSt
GermANy Is STill notiCeAblY behIND the WEst iN EcOnomic deVelopmENt. anD the
ecoNoMic difFeRenCe bEtweeN The tWo KoreAs at the mOment IS far, far greater
TOday than the diFFeRENcE BetwEen The two GermaNy's iN The 1990's. therE ArE
alSO cultUral fAcTOrS: north Korean workers aRe Used to WorkiNg under
CommunIsm, will theY ACCept workIng uNDeR A capitalist eliTe?

ThaT being said, A Thought eXperiMent with A Unified KOREa is rathEr
iNteResTinG. nOrTh Korean labor WOUld pErHaps be cHeaPer; SoutH KoReaN
coMpaNiEs could ouTsource mAnUfAcTuRinG to thE north insTeAd oF tO ChIna anD
Still rEmain GlobAlLy COmpEtitive. tHe nORth hAs VaSt miNerAl ResouRces WHicH
could bE exploiteD. A lANd roUtE tO China wOuld increase KOrEan-Chinese TrAde
ImmensELY. So generAlly it would look very good EConomicAllY.

------
tobyHinlOopen
This Is jUst a PR ShoW... The war Isn’t ovEr untIl The nk PopulATIoN is FrEe

~~~
lucb1e
ThaT'S A... veRy AmeRiCan sTatemenT. USA has a history of fORciNg their view
of FreEdom ON OtHer NAtIOns, WhETheR THey want to or not.

~~~
eGgnet
By whiCh COuNtry's standARds Is north KoRea free?

edit: OTHer than north KoreA.

~~~
StavrosK
noRth KOREa's.
ae-and-
ki...](https://www .economist .com/ new s/a si a/21 7412 38-moon-jae-an d -kim -jong-un-
seem-have-go t-hou se - fire ) ),  andmention s  t h a t r es ul tsof th e mee t a re
insu bstantial. 

- -- ---
cloudkjW ha t are theeco nomic implic ati ons of  a  po s sible /ev entua l/inev i tablereunifica ti o n scen a rio tha t ju st b ecome a bit morer ea l istic? South K orea i sa lr e a dyaneconomic p ow erhou s e in it s  o w n rig h t. I'm wonder ing more fr o m t he
poi nt  of view o f anin v est or - the pu blic  marketsdon'ta ppear t o  be
par ticula rly  sw ayed by  t hepr o spe c ts , p r oba bly beca us ethe s cena r i o is s til l
fa rfetc hed and decad esaway ,  if  poss ible. 

~~ ~pm90You ca n tak ea look at whathapp ened afte r G er man  u nific a tion t o g etan idea 
of wha t  it  w o u l dlook like.

To besu r e ,this isa freq u en tt opic ofdi scu ssio n in So uthK or ea, andthis
p r ec is e situa ti on has  b een  st udied in s ome de tail. Th e con s ensus seems to be
to NOT dow ha t th e  Ger man s did: It h as b e en e cono m ic all y  proh ibiti ve ,  a n d East
Germany is s ti ll not iceab ly behind the  West in e c o n omic dev elop m en t . And the
econ omicdifference betweenthe t wo Korea s at them o ment isfar , f argre a t er 
today than t h e  dif fe rence b etw een the  tw o G erm any 's  in the 1 990's. T he re  a re 
al so cu l tural fa ct ors :Nor th Ko r ean wo rkers  are  u se d  to  workin g  u n d er
C om mu nism , w il l the y ac c ept  workin g under a  ca p ital is telite?
That being s ai d, a thoug ht  ex perime n t  with aUnified Korea is rather interes tin g. No rthKorean la bor  would  pe r haps b e chea per;So uth K orean c om pan ie s could ou t s our ce ma nu fact uring t o the North instea d  of  to China and 
st illr e ma ing lo b all yc omp e t itive. The Nort h has vast  m i ne ral resour c eswh ich
cou ld be e xploi t ed. A l and route  to China  w ould i ncr ease Korea n-Chines e trade
i m mense l y.  So g ene rallyit  wo uld l ook ve r y g ood e conomi ca lly.
----- -tobyhinl oopen
This is just a PR  show. .. th e w ar isn’tove r  un til the N K po pulation i s f ree 

~~~ 
lu c b1e
T hat' s  a ... veryAmer i can state m en t.U S Ahas a histo r y offorci ngt heir v iewof freedom on oth e r nations, whe ther t hey  wa n t to  o r not.

~~~
eg gne tB y  which c ou ntry's stan dards is  N o rth K orea f ree?
Edit: O t h er than N orth  Ko rea.

~~~ 
St av r osK
Nor th  K o rea's. 
ae-and-
ki...](https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21741238-moon-jae-and-kim-jong-un-
seem-have-got-house-fire)), and_mentions that_results of the meet_are
insubstantial.

------
cloudkj
What are_the_economic implications_of_a possible/eventual/inevitable
reunification scenario_that just become_a bit more realistic?_South Korea is
already_an_economic powerhouse in its own right. I'm wondering more from the
point of view of_an_investor -_the_public_markets don't appear to be
particularly_swayed by the prospects, probably_because the_scenario is still
farfetched and decades away, if possible.

~~~
pm90
You_can_take a look_at what happened after German unification to get an_idea
of what it would look like.

To_be sure, this_is_a_frequent topic of discussion_in South Korea, and this
precise situation_has been studied in some detail._The consensus seems to be
to NOT do_what the Germans did: It has_been economically prohibitive, and East
Germany_is still_noticeably behind the West in_economic development. And_the
economic difference_between the two_Koreas at the moment is far,_far greater
today than_the difference between the two Germany's_in_the 1990's. There_are
also_cultural_factors: North_Korean workers are_used_to working_under
Communism,_will they accept working under a_capitalist_elite?

That being said, a thought experiment with_a Unified Korea is_rather
interesting._North Korean labor would_perhaps be cheaper; South Korean
companies_could outsource manufacturing to the North_instead of_to China_and
still remain globally competitive. The North has vast mineral resources which
could_be exploited. A land route to_China would increase Korean-Chinese_trade
immensely. So_generally_it would look_very_good economically.

------
tobyhinloopen
This_is just a PR show... the war_isn’t over_until the NK population is free

~~~
lucb1e
That's_a... very American statement._USA_has a history of forcing their_view
of freedom on other nations, whether_they want to or not.

~~~
eggnet
By_which_country's_standards is North Korea free?

Edit:_Other than North Korea.

~~~
StavrosK
North Korea's.