But I think the North Koreans have genuinely realized they can't stay isolated forever and they can't keep using the threat of reckless acts to extort money from the U.S., etc. But the more the North Korean people see of the South, the less satisfied they are going to be with their own government. Kim Jong Il seems to be betting he can imitate China and open the economy and society without yielding political power. He may be betting wrong, though. And he could reverse policy quickly if it seems to be jeopardizing his rule.
Reunification is a long, long way away.
But I think it will happen eventually. South Koreans are worried about the cost of reunification. I've talked to lots of South Koreans on the street and every single one of them mentions the financial and social troubles Germany experienced. So I think Korea will reunify eventually. But the distance will be measured in years if not decades.