Lee stresses preparation for reunification with N. Korea

SEOUL, May 25 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said Wednesday that South Korea should gear up for reunification with the North like "it could come tomorrow" in a bid to minimize impact on the nation's economy and society by an unexpected political change. Lee made the remark at a meeting with some 300 panel members of the National Unification Advisory Council, a presidential advisory body on reunification policy, at his office. "It could take decades to unite Korea. But we have to prepare (for reunification) like it could come tomorrow," Lee said, illustrating the experience of Germany's abrupt reunification. "When the Berlin Wall was about to be collapsed, the then German prime minister said 'it could take 100 years for the Berlin Wall to be demolished,'" he said. "But the wall came down only 10 months following his remarks." Although the two Koreas have been estranged from each other after the North's deadly military provocations last year, Lee expressed hope for restoring inter-Korean relations as they are "one race." He also urged the advisory panels to help North Koreans to develop a viable economy so they can support themselves, without relying on international handouts. "Now, North Korea should come forward with a responsible attitude. Then South and North Korea can have dialogue and have a constructive, future-oriented relationship," he added. In his visit to Berlin earlier this month, Lee offered to invite the reclusive North Korean leader to next year's Nuclear Security Summit of about 50 world leaders if Pyongyang firmly commits to nuclear disarmament and apologizes for last year's two deadly attacks on the South.