Tense borderThe tense border at Panmunjom (the "Peace Village"), is a place to which I went for an interesting visit. The situation was remeniscient of the former border between East and West Germany, in particular the Berlin Wall. A dividing line between nations, and both symptoms of a cold war. 2 questions may come to many minds: reunification, and/or peace?
Negative side of the DPRK
"Democratic People's Republic of Korea" seems to be an inaccurate title. The marching, as seen above, appears rather similar to archive footage of WW2 or that of the former Soviet Union. The impression on this writer is that the population of North Korea is subjected to propaganda and brain-washing. There is also threatening behaviour towards the ROK (South Korea), the USA and Japan. Recently, Kim Jong-Un (North Korean president) claimed that
any US city is within striking range, after a series of ballistic missile tests.
Furthermore, the US recently conducted anti-missile defence tests, as a reaction.
Finding peace: past lessons
The Cold War was brought to an end, with the combined efforts of Reagan and Gorbachev. Viewed years earlier as highly
unlikely, the result was successful. Positive and open minds were present on both sides. That is something that both the ROK and the DPRK could certainly do with.
Conclusion
As above, both sides have met before. Despite the bad relations between North and South, and the negative/ disrespectful aspects of the DPRK, history has demonstrated that it can be done.
The formula for a positive outcome? Good intentions and common sense are needed on both sides.
