The optimism on the Korean peninsula for a quick resolve to the cold war may be the only palpable force to its own credit. In all probability, our friends to the north will remain communist until we are all dead and buried. The facts are hard to deny.Despite the chronic food penuries that exist, the love for the dear leader and his regime go unabated. Though the economy is hardly a juggernaut, the people have been sufficiently brainwashed into pure adulation.Furthermore the communist party commonly uses the strategy of comparing its leader to the US counterpart to further value his own merit. Lets face it folks, Dubya makes Kim Jong-il look like Carl Sagan, and is not the poster boy that could make North Koreans change their mind.Another oft-overlooked fact is that China would give up half of Tibet to ensure that North Korea stays communist and ergo under Chinese control. The simple fact is that should reunification occur China would have to deal with forty thousand American troops camped at its border, something it would do anything to prevent.Despite all this North Korea continues to receive aid and food from the South Korean government, not least of which from the Mt. Kumgang cruises to the north which will have given close to a billion dollars US to the debt stricken country. Food and monetary aid continue to pour in that keep the mighty dear leader ahead of the game.In summation the crippled North is stronger than many of us would like to believe. Though the existing money are in the hands of an outdated oligarchy, it is hard to overlook how long they have lasted and with the help of mighty China will probably last for a good while longer. It hinges dearly on the willingness of Cathay help out its neighbors. Perhaps the sunshine policy of the south should include refugee status to defectors from the North, which does not as of yet exist
The writer is a professor of English Conversation at Center for Language Research and Institute.