THE TWO KOREAS

After 35,000 Americans and nearly four million North and South Koreans died, an armistice was signed that left the borders where they started.

As a “democratic,” capitalist country, South Korea soared from a very poor “ping” in the 1950’s to one of the world’s most successful countries today. South Korean companies like Hyundai have a major presence in the West. The South Korean people live much like their American counterparts.

As a communist, command economy, North Korea is one of the world’s poorest countries. The constant threat of famine has left North Korea with a life expectancy of only 67 years while South Koreans life expectancy is 79 years. What is missing from the streets?

The North Korean capital of Pyongyang. The South Korean capital of Seoul. GDP per capita, $27,700. GDP per capita, $1,800.

Since the 1940’s, North Korea has been ruled by Kim IL Sung (the Great Leader) then Kim Jong IL (the Dear Leader.) People in North Korea are trained from birth to consider the Great and Dear Leaders as gods. The North Korean people are taught that their great enemy in the world is the USA.

While its people often starve, food and resources are diverted to one of the world’s largest armies.

Also, he “World’s Most Dangerous Golf Course.” Dividing line between North and South at Panmunjom. The DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is considered one of the world’s most dangerous places.

Across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) into North Korea is the World’s Tallest Flagpole and the “propaganda village.” While it looks normal, there are no inhabitants. There are people who turn the lights on and off and sweep the streets, but there are no windows in the buildings.

Tensions are always high now that North Korea has developed nuclear weapons and missiles capable of hitting U.S. allies South Korea and Japan. Every president since Truman has had to deal with the North Koreans.

There is a growing desire for reunification of North and South. Judging by what you now know, who would expect to be the “government” of a unified Korea? Do you remember? What European country unified in the early 1990’s?