Re: Korean History

Haena, I cannot lie - I am extremely jealous that you got the chance to take a full course with Professor Jung Kim! I appreciate your optimism toward the idea of reunification for a country that has suffered greatly (as you mentioned, re: the North Korean food shortages) from their division. What I do question is if the current state of affairs has made North Korea even more hestitate to reunite though, for as the Professor mentioned, the countries no longer possess the Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation and the Sunshine Policy was costly for South Korea. Also, it seems the very nature of Juche and North Korean economic "self-reliance" make it difficult for North Korea to adapt into a new capitalist economy. The U.S. does not seem to be helping the situation currently either, for as the Professor mentioned, President Moon was absent for the DMZ Summit meeting this past June with President Trump. With the Kim family so desparately wanting to keep their regime survival, their nuclear weapons, and their economic self-sufficiency, will the divided Korea really be able to unite any time soon?