1.6
Policy Measures for North-South Migration after Reunification in Korea
통일 이후 남북간 인구이동의 안정화방안 연구(RR97-53) Sang-Jun Lee
1997. 12․105 pages․Korean
Generally, the difference in the environment in terms of origin and destination place is an important factor for migration. Unexpected migration could also happen under the special political situation such as Korean reunification. In this context, the migration from North to South Korea could be one of the imminent issues following reunification. The unexpected migration streams from North Korea can cause at least in the short run undesirable negative social externalities (unexpected shocks) and welfare losses in both North and South Korea. In South Korea, it may put an excessive strain (overcrowding) on the existing social services (i.e., education and health) as well as on physical infrastructure and housing. Therefore, special policy measures against these undesirable negative effects of migration should be prepared for reunification.
The present study aims to suggest the policy directions and measures for controlling the migration trends from North to South Korea. In this study, the 'stepwise controlling' was adopted as a basic direction for migration policy after reunification. In the first stage of migration, the current border should be maintained to prevent the massive migration from North to South Korea. This 'stepwise controlling' could play a positive role in the economy and the stability of society in North and South Korea. However, this method also has some issues; if free travel between North and South Korea would not be allowed after reunification, the political pressure for free travel could be suggested immediately, thus, generating the national consensus for allowing free travel between two regions in the short run is needed. Regarding the length of the time, the first stage might take at least one year.
Basically, the stable migration trends between North and South Korea could be achieved by establishing comparable living conditions in both regions. For this purpose, comprehensive supporting program for North Korea integrating
physical, social and economic measures is essential. Without securing basic living conditions in North Korea, maintaining stable migration cannot be guaranteed.
Special support for the North Korean economy should be concentrated on creating new jobs because the expectation for the individual employment opportunity is the most powerful determinant in migration. Also, the economic support for North Korea can compensate for the locational disadvantages perceived as the direct consequences of the social economy. The supporting program will contribute the goal of offering North Korea the prospect of rapid economic improvement, and thus, contributing to halting the trend of migration towards South Korea and to avoiding social upheaval. If the gap between the living conditions can be narrowed, migration rates might slow down.
Improving the housing quality is also important for improving the living conditions in North Korea. A special housing program must be prepared for improving the housing facilities and enlarging the housing supply. In addition, the welfare system in North Korea should be improved because it is one of the basic elements for sustaining the social system. The existing educational and medical services should be maintained by financial and institutional support from South Korea.
Finally, these special supports for North Korea should be integrated in order to render the support more efficient. The responsibility for special economic support for North Korea also must be concentrated in the central institute that could be established by the central government.
