Episode 3: The Legacy of Division — How the North–South Divide Shapes Korea’s Society, Economy, Culture, and Identity
Society: Everyday Life Shaped by Division
The division of Korea is not just a geopolitical fact—it is woven into the structure of everyday life. For decades, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) has symbolized constant tension, even though it lies only a short drive from Seoul. This reality has created a society where people live with both a sense of normalcy and an underlying awareness of potential crisis.
Mandatory military service for young men is one of the clearest examples of how division has shaped institutions. It is not just a civic duty but a rite of passage that continues to influence debates about fairness, gender roles, and generational differences. Older generations who experienced war view the North as an immediate threat, while younger people—who have never interacted with North Koreans—often see it as a distant, abstract entity. For many in their 20s and 30s, reunification is no longer a priority. Instead, “managing division realistically” has become the prevailing mindset.
Recently, the South Korean government suspended loudspeaker broadcasts along the DMZ, a practice that had symbolized psychological warfare for decades. The decision was welcomed by many citizens as a small but meaningful gesture toward peace, and a reminder of just how much pressure constant tension has placed on society.
Economy: Costs, Opportunities, and Lost Chances
The division has also left deep marks on the economy. South Korea spends roughly 2.5–3% of its GDP annually on defense—resources that could otherwise fund education, healthcare, or innovation. While this spending has built a globally competitive defense industry, it has also been a persistent economic burden.
Moments of inter-Korean economic cooperation have sparked hope but often ended in disappointment. The Kaesong Industrial Complex and Mount Kumgang tourism project once represented the possibility of shared prosperity, but both were suspended due to military clashes and political conflict. For businesses, North Korea remains both a potential market and a risk factor—an opportunity that could open one day, yet a danger that could escalate overnight.
Today, North Korea is turning further toward Russia and China for economic and military cooperation, leaving little room for engagement with the South. This has reinforced the perception among South Koreans that reunification is less about opportunity and more about cost, while “managing division” has become the pragmatic economic reality.
Culture: Trauma, Memory, and Shared Stories
Division is also etched into Korean culture. The most enduring reminder is the plight of separated families. In 1983, the nationwide TV program Finding Dispersed Families captured the heartbreak of thousands searching for loved ones lost during the war. Even today, many elderly Koreans pass away without ever learning whether their family members in the North are alive. This unresolved grief has become a collective trauma that continues to shape national memory.
Division also provides a constant source of storytelling in Korean popular culture. Films like Joint Security Area and dramas like Crash Landing on You explore the human dimension of separation, blending political reality with emotional narratives. These works remind viewers that the division is not just about borders but about people, families, and everyday lives caught in between.
Identity: Between One Nation and Two States
Perhaps the deepest impact of division lies in identity. For older generations, the guiding belief was “one people, one nation.” But as decades pass, younger Koreans increasingly view the two Koreas as separate states with different systems. This shift accelerated after North Korea amended its constitution to explicitly declare that reunification is impossible.
Public opinion surveys show that younger South Koreans tend to place less importance on reunification, favoring instead the ideas of peaceful coexistence and stable management of division. For them, identity is shaped less by ethnic unity and more by the realities of living in a divided yet globally integrated South Korea.
At the same time, symbolic events—such as joint Olympic teams or moments of cultural exchange—still evoke powerful feelings of shared belonging. Division may have fractured identity, but it has also created unique opportunities for Koreans to rediscover what connects them. In this paradoxical way, the split itself has become a defining feature of Korean identity.
Conclusion
The North–South divide is not just about geopolitics. It is a living force that shapes social structures, economic choices, cultural expression, and national identity. From the mandatory military service and the costs of defense, to the pain of separated families and the shifting views of younger generations, division permeates every layer of Korean life.
Recent gestures—like halting loudspeaker broadcasts or symbolic handshakes on the international stage—suggest that space for peace still exists. Yet the persistence of mistrust also reminds us how deeply entrenched division has become.
For anyone seeking to understand Korea, recognizing the legacy of division is essential. It explains why peace is such a sensitive, urgent theme; why tension remains a constant backdrop; and why Koreans continue to wrestle with the question of being one nation yet living in two states.