남북한 언어의 통일을 위한 과제

A Proposal for a Unified Language in the South and the North Korea : the Language Policy

Language is the second most important issue next to the issue of food-clothing-habitation after Reunification in the Korean Peninsula. Thus, it is required for us to establish a policy that would handle the problems invoked by the differences of languages between two Koreas. Since the most urgent issue among others that are related to languages in two Koreas is the practical one rather than theoretical ones, the planning of policy pursuing practical goals is urgently required. In this paper, author is proposing an idea about establishing a foundation for a unified Korean language in both Koreas by minimizing the differences between the two languages and rendering a favorable environment for a harmonized use of language among people from both sides. For a recovery of identity between two languages, there should be some kind of collaborations prearranged between the scholars from both sides so that they discuss the pending issues and reflect the findings in their respective policy on language education. In the collaboration, unnecessary competition for the sake of their respective pride and supremacy should be avoided. Rather, the scholars have to have perspective for the bright future and try hard to seek and reach a reasonable agreement. Most of all, they have to do their best to draw an agreement on all pending issues before the reunification. Regarding the issues left unsolved, they have to be left as they are so that the public can find a unified solution for them naturally after the reunification.