Korea unification without the Kim's.

WI the Kim's didn't end up in power in North Korea, and NK went the same way as other communist states such us Vietnam could there be a reunification after the collapse of the USSR. And if so would a South Korea that developed like otl be able to handle unification with a 3rd world economy.
 
Well, removing Kim Il-Sung, anything can happen to North Korea. Barring another strongman dynasty, it range from a one-party dictatorship like China, with or without economic reforms, to a total collapse of the regime after the fall of the Soviet Union. Given that China is at the border though, I'm going to hedge my bets at a North Korea with a market economy, or 'socialism with Korean characteristics' in Communist euphemism. Certainly not the shit-hell it became as a de facto absolute monarchy.
 
WI the Kim's didn't end up in power in North Korea, and NK went the same way as other communist states such us Vietnam could there be a reunification after the collapse of the USSR. And if so would a South Korea that developed like otl be able to handle unification with a 3rd world economy.

A divided Korea will ultimately be the keystone to all conflicts in the Far East. Even if the Kims don't rise to power the Cold War will make the 38th parallel(or any equivalent) highly militarised.

Could there be reunification after the fall of the USSR? It depends on how internal politics play out. But most likely it becomes like East-West reunification, although the economic disparity would be similar to OTL inter-Korea.
 
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