3 ms·

There's no indication of it happening. If it happens, it could happen quickly; it's even more unpredictable because so little is known about what goes on inside

There's no indication of it happening. If it happens, it could happen quickly; it's even more unpredictable because so little is known about what goes on inside North Korea. It would be a massive task for South Korea and the people of North Korea are very poor, brutally oppressed, and would have great immediate needs including food, security and political stability for 25 million people. Look at the consequences of political vacuums in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, and Somalia to see what happens when those needs aren't met: The situation can break down quickly and become unredeemable. History may depend on how quickly SK acts, which may depend on how well they are prepared. Also, if there is chaos in NK -- on China's border -- China may decide they need to intervene for their own security, or use that as an excuse.

kijin 12y ago
> China may decide they need to intervene for their own security, or use that as an excuse. That's definitely something that SK would want to prevent. The last time China "helped" unify a divided Korea, back in the 7th century, they took all the territory north of Pyongyang for themselves. Something similar could happen again unless SK gets the situation under control very quickly. Especially since nukes are involved, and China's been in an expansionist mood lately.
- hasenj 12y ago
  Interesting history. Is there any link (wikipedia?) talking about that event?
  - GFK_of_xmaspast 12y ago
    cmon dude, it only takes one google search and a couple clicks on wiki to find http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goguryeo%E2%80%93Sui_War http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goguryeo%E2%80%93Sui_War
    - martey 12y ago
      If you read the article on the Goguryeo-Sui war, it is clear that its cause was Goguryeo raids on the Chinese frontier (not a divided Korea) and that Sui China was defeated (which helped lead to the fall of the Sui dynasty). I think kijin was referencing the later conflict between Tang China's intervention in Korea on behalf of Silla: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goguryeo%E2%80%93Tang_War https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goguryeo%E2%80%93Tang_War
      - kijin 12y ago
        Yes, and the subsequent https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silla%E2%80%93Tang_War https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silla%E2%80%93Tang_War It's amazing how quickly allies can become enemies once their common enemy is defeated. US & USSR after WW2, US & Taliban after the fall of communism, etc.
- unchocked 12y ago
  Let's not forget the time China "helped" unify a divided Korea in the 20th Century.

kijin 12y ago

> China may decide they need to intervene for their own security, or use that as an excuse. That's definitely something that SK would want to prevent. The last time China "helped" unify a divided Korea, back in the 7th century, they took all the territory north of Pyongyang for themselves. Something similar could happen again unless SK gets the situation under control very quickly. Especially since nukes are involved, and China's been in an expansionist mood lately.

hasenj 12y ago
Interesting history. Is there any link (wikipedia?) talking about that event?
- GFK_of_xmaspast 12y ago
  cmon dude, it only takes one google search and a couple clicks on wiki to find http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goguryeo%E2%80%93Sui_War http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goguryeo%E2%80%93Sui_War
  - martey 12y ago
    If you read the article on the Goguryeo-Sui war, it is clear that its cause was Goguryeo raids on the Chinese frontier (not a divided Korea) and that Sui China was defeated (which helped lead to the fall of the Sui dynasty). I think kijin was referencing the later conflict between Tang China's intervention in Korea on behalf of Silla: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goguryeo%E2%80%93Tang_War https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goguryeo%E2%80%93Tang_War
    - kijin 12y ago
      Yes, and the subsequent https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silla%E2%80%93Tang_War https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silla%E2%80%93Tang_War It's amazing how quickly allies can become enemies once their common enemy is defeated. US & USSR after WW2, US & Taliban after the fall of communism, etc.
unchocked 12y ago
Let's not forget the time China "helped" unify a divided Korea in the 20th Century.