[The Second Take] Sudden Reunification Like "Money Heist" Is Impossible

The Joint Economic Area Emerges on the Eve of Reunification in 2025
Reflects the German Reunification Experience, but Remains Unrealistic

The setting of Netflix's "Money Heist: Joint Economic Area Part 1" is the Korean Peninsula in 2025, on the brink of reunification. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) transforms into the Joint Economic Area (JEA). An economic community is established, and a joint currency is issued. This is the sequence envisioned by the so-called "Professor (Yoo Ji-tae)," based on the desire for prosperity on both the South and North sides. Stocks related to North Korean development hit new highs, and North Korean companies line up to go public. This is a rosy picture unrelated to "Tokyo (Jeon Jong-seo)," who is originally from North Korea. "Tokyo" becomes a victim of fraud by a migration broker and ends up committing crimes. "Welcome to capitalism."

Ryu Yong-jae, the writer responsible for this work, said, "We referred a lot to the situation around German reunification in 1990 and reflected it." It is true that East Germany's economy transitioned to a social market economy system thanks to currency unification and privatization of state-owned enterprises. However, the bright and dark sides were completely opposite to those in "Money Heist: Joint Economic Area Part 1." East Germany pursued one-to-one currency unification to prevent mass migration and achieve early social integration. Thanks to this, the living standards of East German residents greatly improved. However, companies lost price competitiveness because the currency value was overestimated, leading to mass bankruptcies.

From 1980 to 1990, West Germany's average economic growth rate was 2.5%. In contrast, from 1991 to 2009, it was 1.3%. A report by the European Union (EU) Commission identified reunification as the main cause. It explained that the mass unemployment in East Germany increased reunification costs, which backfired on the overall economy. Despite regional productivity imbalances, East German company workers continuously demanded wage increases and balance. Entrepreneurs in West Germany and the West avoided investment. Ultimately, East Germany not only failed to create new jobs but also saw a decline in overall economic vitality.

Even if it is a drama, the simple claim that capitalism ruins society is dangerous. East and West Germany maintained exchanges in almost all fields even immediately after division. The West German leadership had a strong philosophy and will to alleviate the suffering of residents caused by division and to prevent alienation among compatriots. Security issues were not a major obstacle. Both East and West Germany refrained from actions that would harm the understanding and stability of the international community.

South and North Korea also signed a Basic Agreement in 1992. However, due to the North Korean nuclear issue, the agreement has remained dormant without implementation. The pursuit of an engagement policy is incomparable in quality and scale to that of East and West Germany during the division period. The Korean Peninsula and East and West Germany also differ greatly in political and social environments. The image of East German residents, armed with democratization consciousness, leading a bottom-up revolution is unimaginable in today's North Korea.

There are no coincidences in history. The collapse of East Germany was not a sudden event. We must not forget that it was possible because the West German government had induced systemic change in East Germany through contact and exchanges for over 40 years. "Just as expectations for reunification were gradually fading, change came like an unexpected thief." This background explanation for "Tokyo" is nothing more than an unrealistic and fanciful setting.

Editor's Note*Video 2 is an expression of the will to see videos differently and more coldly. It focuses on video content such as movies, dramas, and animations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.