South Korea’s biggest problem is a stagnating economy, with poor growth and falling exports. Reunification would mean that South Korea more than doubles its territory and adds 24 million people to its domain. An endless opportunity for investment, trade and economic growth.

North Korea’s issue is poverty, starvation and an authoritarian government, plus its status as a “rogue” state. All of these would be solved by reunification, under a democratic government based in Seoul.

Surely, both sides know this. However, there is a fear of the devastation war would cause. The last war ran for three years and consumed three million lives. The South should be particularly worried, considering its army is outnumbered by at least one million North Korean troops, and its capital is frighteningly close to the border.

Nevertheless, this is a necessary evil, with only one possible outcome. The North cannot win this war. Their technology is inferior, international support is essentially nil and finances non-existent. But most of all, the people of North Korea have no will. They are sick, tired, poor and hungry, and any allegiance to the Northern state is cosmetic only.

Which brings up a very interesting question: Why is it that every time the North appears to attack the South, their government denies any involvement? There is no reason to do this. In fact, the North and South are officially still at war. A peace treaty was never signed in 1953, only an armistice which became void in May 2009. Further, why is it that the South never retaliates?

Because they know the truth. The attacks are not being directed by the government, but are coming from individual North Koreans, fed up with their monstrous state, tired of the suffering of their people and willing to do whatever it takes to spark a conflict that would result in reunification. These brave martyrs are risking their lives for a better future. Hopefully, their dream will soon be realized.

The Future of North Korea and South Korea: One Korea