Presentation for officials of the Ministry of Unification

The political, economic and social situation of Germany 20 years after unification was the topic of a presentation of the representative of Hanns-Seidel-Foundation Korea, Dr. Bernhard Seliger, for officials of the Ministry of Unification preparing for a study trip to Germany. The presentation took place on April 19 in the Unification education center in Seoul. While political integration took place without major problems, it was clear that economic integration could only slowly progress. However, examples like the rebuilt famous baroque church of Our Lady in Dresden or the former bismuth uranium mine near Gera, which in 2007 became location for the German garden show, point to the fact, according to Dr. Seliger, that indeed “flourishing landscapes” emerged in the new states of East Germany, as Federal chancellor Helmut Kohl predicted in 1990. Surprisingly difficult was the social integration of East and West Germany; until today there remain strong differences of both parts of Germany in perception. This is why Korea should prepare the psychological and social integration of both parts already today.