Nicholas Eberstadt

Nicholas Eberstadt is a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative research institution. He has published and edited several books on Korea, including The End of North Korea and Korea’s Future and the Great Powers. In the following viewpoint, he argues that North Korea might collapse and be absorbed within South Korea faster than many people expect. South Korea and the relevant world powers— the United States, Japan, Russia, and China—must be prepared for such an eventuality. Governments of these countries can cooperate to help improve the chances for a rapid and peaceful reunification of the two Koreas.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What are some of the economic costs and benefits to South Korea of reunification, according to Eberstadt?
2. Why should Russia and China...