If North and South Korea were ever to reconcile and unite as one again...?

Question

What kind of impact would that make politically and economically as far as world relations go.

Do you think they would be a threat to the U.S. or Japan?

Answer 1

The long and bumpy road to a united Korea is filled with stop signs and speed limits, slowing traffic so much that many Koreans may think they are going backward.

Reunification of North and South Korea is not in the United States’ best interest. Both North Korea and China remain a threat to U.S. interests. These nations are unalterably opposed to the American way of life and threaten freedom in the surrounding region. Only the United States is powerful enough to contain this threat to peace and freedom. Under American supervision, South Korea is developing into a democracy that will be an example to other Asian nations.

Further, South Korea wants U.S. troops to remain. North Korea's food crisis may cause its leaders to pursue rash tactics, including the invasion of the ROK. The United States must be prepared to meet this threat. It should help South
Korea stabilize its economy, beef up U.S. military presence and reaffirm a commitment to protect free nations from communist threats.

Answer 2

The crucial question is, unite on what terms?

I guess the usual scenario is that the North Korean economy/regime implodes and it is absorbed into South Korea.

First, this is NOT going to happen. But say hypothetically it does. A united Korea would at first suffer tremendous social and economic troubles. South Korea is not nearly as rich as West Germany was when they reunited with East Germany, and North Korea is far more of a basket case than East Germany was then. And even with Germany it turned out to be far more difficult and painful than people expected.

In the long term, if the two Koreas can develop economically and remain a stable democracy, of course it is in the US interests. US interests has always been healthy and strong allies. A united Korea would be a challenge to Japan, but only economically. And China would be concerned because a lot of its territory near the North Korean border, historically belonged to Korea. Even today many ethnic Koreans live there and they might want to join a reunited Korean peninsula.

Once again, NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

Answer 3

The REunited Korea is going to happen. It will happen, and it must happen that South Korea prevails. This will probably be the case.

As long as Korea remains an ally to the US and Japan, then they will not be a problem, but a good friend.

If North Korea were to prevail, then, since they are a Chinese puppet, then there would be hightened tensions in the region, especially taiwan. That just can not be allowed to happen, at almost all costs. The only cost that can not be used, is nuclear weapons.

Answer 4

They have been separate for over 60 years. As long as China is run by communists, North Korea will stay communist. The Chinese government will see to it. The North Korean economy is non-existent. South Korea is a poor country. Nothing special would happen if the two countries united.

Answer 5

See the reunification of Germany for probable impact. There'd be some economic turmoil as millions made the shift from communism to a market economy.

No, I don't think the resultant nation would be a threat to anyone.

Answer 6

Of course we don't want them united. A united N & S Korea means big trouble for U.S. Our whole strategy from back when we took the land from the native Americans...was to divide and conquer.

Answer 7

Many GI Joes will get a pink slips.