Reunification for granted so its simply not possible to imagine this division for 40 years and so i think reunification is. A celebration to do but its nothing that. Really impacts us its you always have to imagine how could it have been 2 to 2 knocks be able to maybe study in eastern germany or to live in west germany so its always a big part of imagination i suppose you could argue the young germans are not unlike young people in any country in that regard i suppose 30 years after the event would you say that the east in the west or on equal footing in other words would you say that theyve been able to realise equality. Well in terms of equal pay and. Like. Job i think its not its not the same you can still really you have the difference between west and east if youre for example the public sector. But on the other hand i think that especially young the young generation has the same chances so i think yes in a way it is and we still have a little bit to go to really make it equal to
Im going to have our 1st welcome to this special edition of the news as we cover the festivities commemorating 30 years of german reunification on this Germanys National holiday it was on this day 30 years ago that east and west germany reunited to become one country again for the 1st time since the 2nd world war this years event is being held in potsdam the capital state of brandon book state near berlin that german president from father steinmeyer will be speaking shortly well bring you his speech live its a splendid occasion but this years festivities are scaled down in compliance with social distancing measures and other restrictions put in place due to the coronavirus kind. Of help me guide us through the events today and shine a light on its significance im joined in the studio but it of you cross part. Common ration venue in potsdam nina hoss is standing by at the iconic Brandenburg Gate in berlin we welcome. Thomas sparrow and lets start with you the german president is speakin
More important than today what does he mean by that. What he means obviously that this is something where you have to look at just why people are unhappy with the Current System that we have and just how much can you go with your criticism of a system he also in his speech earlier he referred to the anti corona demonstration he didnt name them but he meant that spirit of people questioning those restrictions that have been imposed by the German Government during the coronavirus pandemic which is leading to big rallies big demonstrations here in germany that are happening on a regular basis where people question very system whereas some people even question the existence and the legitimacy of the german democratic system as we see it at the moment and he says the peaceful revolution of 1909 so does that freedom and democracy are values that are worth fighting for and he said germany should be proud that it managed to bring down a dictatorship with a peaceful revolution. A recent rise in
Themselves how germany handled the cold bit 10 demick so much better and how they can learn from their neighbor on the continent. At the time some israeli said concerned at the thought of a real knight to germany dominating once again the center of europe in light of the memories of the holocaust others said there was nothing to fear from of united germany in the years after reunification germany and israel became close on many levels they do have to differences when it comes to the Israeli Palestinian conflict their relations are often described as a special relationship between both countries. German reunification is widely viewed as a success here in south korea and for some inspiration for those that pursue engagement with the north former president kim dae jong made his berlijn declaration to reach out to north korea resulting in the 1st interpreted summit in 2000 and current president mungy also chose berlin to lay out his peace strategy toward north korea resulting in a series o
North korea expert, scholar and author for the sister, dr. Sungyoon lee. His bio is on the website, but i do want highlight that outside of his Academic Work research. Chair dr. Lee has been an Expert Witness for us congressional. Hearings on north korea policy, including the Otto Warmbier versus dprk trial this evening. We have a unique opportunity to hear his insights about country that keeps us awake, continues to present challenging policy problems for the region and beyond and. As if that werent difficult enough to try to the pathology of secretive kim that leads it joining dr. Lee is our very own Emma Whitmyer easy Society Policy institute officer, Program Officer will interview dr. Lee and then conduct a q a with the audience. Emma was previously a fellow with the south Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Now we get the program underway, which is why you are here. I want to first thank dr. Lee for taking time to speak here. We are delighted for this opportunity to host you for w