Korean Reunification - Current Status

Current Status

Eventual political integration of the Koreas under a democratic government from the South is generally viewed as inevitable by U.S. and South Korea. However, the nature of unification, i.e. through North Korean collapse or gradual integration of the North and South, is still a topic of intense political debate and even conflict among interested parties, who include both Koreas, China, Japan, Russia, and the United States. While the Sunshine Policy remained in effect, some political analysts suggested that the process of reunification had already begun, albeit at a very gradual pace, through the current process of reconciliation and economic cooperation between the two Koreas.

Bruce Cumings speculated that "it seems to me that for all these reasons, and short of a catastrophic war, no reunified Korea will emerge before a prolonged period of regional sovereignty, perhaps under one national name and one flag, perhaps for years to come."

In 2010, relations between the two Koreas were strained by the sinking of the ROKS Cheonan and the loss of its 46-man crew, which an official investigation concluded was due to the explosion of a torpedo several meters from the ship (North Korea denied any such action) and the bombardment of Yeonpyeong Island by North Korean forces, leaving two South Korean marines and two civilians dead, in response to regular South Korea artillery exercises (which North Korea had requested be called off).

The death of Kim Jong-il and the accession of Kim Jong-un since December 17, 2011 has led to uncertainty regarding North Korea's future, with Jong-un's limited experience and potential power struggles among different factions leading to fears of future instability on the Korean Peninsula.