North Korea and South Korea should be unified.

You've made an excellent opening point about the Koreas becoming vastly different nations with contrasting world-views and unparalleled economic structures since the divisive changes of the 1940s and 1950s. There is no doubting this. Koreans north of the 38th parallel as well as Koreans south of the 38th parallel have been through a lot internationally, intra-nationally, and nationally since those events. As I stated, Korean relations have and continue to change with time, surfacing at times very peacefully and descending at other times with aggressive opposition. But difference can be unifying too. There are lots of examples of this existing within South Korea. Here are two more recent examples of the inter-Korean relations ups-and-downs: a) Agreed upon by both Koreas in the 1990s was humanitarian assistance under the principle that political and economic matters are two separate issues. Eventually, South and North Korea were able to establish the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, build the Gyeongui and Donghae railways, and initiate the Mt. Guemgang Tourism Project. As of February, 2011, more than 390,000 South and North Koreans have crossed the border, trade has reached the amount of US$14.8 billion dollars and US$2.9 billion in humanitarian aid has been delivered (See Source 1). To your point about tourism, I think it would work out just fine with time. b) Improving Korean relations took a nose-dive when North Korea gave international warning of its first nuclear test, conducted in 2006 (See Source 2). An important historical example, which Koreans can look to for careful re-unification is that of East and West Germany of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While, certainly there are several parallels between the German Unification and the possibility of Korean re-unification, there are differences. But the framework is important. First, the two Germanys maintained cooperative, open-discussions without a time-table or agenda to fulfill (The Koreas are in this phase - albeit up and down). This made the process more liberating and palatable. Next, East Germany's economy collapsed fully (to your point about North Korea's horrendous economic structure, the collapse of it wouldn't be 'too far of a fall'). Then, economic merger discussions and negotiations took place between the Germanys. Here is where Inter-Korean relations have planted the seeds of economic support systems, i. e. Gaeseong Industrial Complex. After a North Korean economic collapse, financial policy sovereignty could be transferred to South Korea. Therein, subsidies could be granted and collective economy could be built through social welfare programs. Of course this would go on to include political merging, constitutional merging, reunification treaties, as well as international aid/support to generate ease of integration (See Source 3). Internal interests cannot be precluded or undermined by foreign interests in the region. Afterall, foreign interests led to the division in the first place. In fact, if foreign interests are lessened in the process of reunification, it is possible foreign relationships between other nations could improve -- becoming less rigid and authoritarian. One difficulty I foresee is in the aging populations of North and South Korea. As the politics and actions of separation continue, the ages of both nation"s people becomes a factor in right timing. While fewer and fewer younger Koreans are unable to connect with the North Korean lifestyle, and visa-versa, this may perpetuate lack of interest to compromise ways of life (as you said). But, in this day an age, reunification would be unendingly tied to successful history and story telling -- an important part of Korean upbringing. If a success story takes place, it must clearly rise out of organic processes from within Korea and be supported by outside relationships. I can imagine Koreans myths and folklore arising out of a successful re-unification. The ideas I have expressed are long term possibilities if Korea were to re-unify. It is clear however, that short-term difficulties are bound to take place. Short term set-backs - economic, social, and political challenges are bound to rise for the Koreas as well as for foreigner partnerships and interests. The North Korean economy is in shackles while the South's relies on democratic capitalism to support its interests. Conflict might arise out of frustrations at merging the economies. Families would get to re-unite, irregardless of the how they re-unite. Hunger and famines in the North could be stopped. Safety wouldn't be compromised. Increased land would help Korea develop agriculture and other main industries. And lastly, Korea would come to the World! Source 1: . http://www.korea.net... Source 2: . http://en.wikipedia.org... Source 3: . https://en.wikipedia.org...