If the Kim Jung-Il regime does collapse, a new regime led by a new charismatic leader is likely to enter the stage. The problems on the Korean Peninsula have been a source of international concern for a long time, and it appears the DPRK has finally recognized this. Last January an article whose headline rivaled the size of the official New Year's announcement stated that the reunification of Korea is at heart an international problem. In late 1995, South Korea had an economy approximately 20 times the size of its neighbor. In contrast, the West German economy in 1989 was only about 7.7 times bigger than East Germany's.
Population is also a factor.
West Germany's population in 1989 was about 3.8 times bigger than East Germany's, but that of the ROK is only 1.8 times larger than North Korea's. It is thus slightly misleading to draw strong parallels between the two. Moreover, the South Korean economy is currently suffering from fatigue brought on by the major structural changes taking place. The South and the North both need time for economic recovery before reunification can take place. Most South Koreans have no desire to pay the increased taxes needed for reunification.