Reunification

Reunification refers to the process by which previously divided or separated political entities are restored to a single, sovereign administration. It can apply to countries that were split by war, occupation, or constitutional status, as well as to regions or governments that have undergone formal separation and subsequently seek to rejoin. Reunification generally involves legal, political, economic, and social steps to merge institutions, borders, and populations.

One of the most prominent recent examples is the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990. After decades of division following World War II, East Germany joined the Federal Republic of Germany, aided by a currency and price union and broad legal alignment. The unification required international negotiations, including the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany (Two plus Four), and substantial transitional arrangements to integrate institutions, economies, and security responsibilities.

Outside Germany, other states have pursued or discussed reunification. Yemen was unified in 1990, merging north and south into the Republic of Yemen, though tensions and conflicts persisted. The Korean Peninsula remains divided, and reunification is frequently discussed as a long-term goal but has not been achieved; discussions focus on negotiations, economic cooperation, and security guarantees rather than immediate political union.

Reunification typically requires constitutional changes, new governance structures, border and citizenship arrangements, and substantial economic adjustments. It also depends on political will, public support, and international diplomacy, as well as transitional measures to address overlapping laws, property claims, and security concerns. While reunification can bring political stability and larger economies, it can also create social disruption and unequal outcomes that require careful management.