Consider Lonely People in Festive Mood

"From small beginnings came great things..."

Mere difference of opinion has divided a nation for more than fifty years. It was no more than a confrontation of ideology, but the conflict was enough to build a solid barrier between Koreans for several decades. One day in the middle of August, however, a microcosmic reunification of Korea took place through the reunions of separated families. 70 million Koreans cried in exaltation and relief as the ideological wall separating north from south came tumbling down.
Our conception of North Korea has changed overnight. Most people expect reunification to be imminent, and people talk openly about the fixed ideas of the other nation, which previously had been considered taboo. Koreans are experiencing how the course of history can be altered in an instant.

"Relation between two Koreas is going well, but ..."

Still, there remain more than seventy thousand people awaiting family reunions, and a chance to catch up after 50 years. In addition, families whose people have been abducted as soldiers and civilians to North Korea have complained of the suffering of not even knowing the fate of their family members. Anyway, the reunions of long-separated families is a symbolic event, showing how both Koreas have overcome their differences, and have embarked on an age of reconciliation and cooperation.
To improve relations between North and South Korea, whole nations should sublimate the national ability to end the partition. National reconciliation and unity are required to promote growth within Korea as a whole. The opinion that inner unity became more important on this occasion is a truism. How long the current situation can maintain itself is uncertain. Obstacles to reconciliation are apparent throughout society. At the same time that families are reuniting, 20,000 laborers, under the banner of Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, have gathered to hold a national laborer meeting. The reason why the laborers have planned a meeting on that day of all days is to protest the government's unreasonable attitude and actions.
That is, the government concentrates on improving external relations by ignoring inner unity, and suppressing laborers by force.

"After the festival..."

When a labor dispute broke out, both labor and management stuck fast to their respective opinions. As for the violent actions of police in the process of putting down the demonstration at Lotte Hotel, the police insist there was no violence, but their violent actions during the suppression was broadcast nationwide. In the end, the workers of Lotte Hotel achieved their demands such as wage increases, security of temp worker's rights, and the drafting of a preventive measure for cases of sexual harassment.
The basic cause of workers' anger is that there is a tremendous gap between the rich and the poor following the financial crisis, and the recent unemployment rate has fallen to around 3%, but the number of temporary workers has increased. The number of patients unable to receive medical care is growing, but still there is no political solution on offer. As a consequence, low-income families are having difficulty making ends meet.
It's natural for big and small problems to arise in a democratic society, but a wise solution depends on the maturity of the society and on political power. The government should endeavor to protect citizens' welfare at all times and alleviate their suffering. It's time to examine our society.