Michael Parks and Gregory F. Treverton

Many observers debate whether North Korea will follow the path of China, its Communist neighbor and former closest ally. Since the late 1970s China’s leaders have engaged in market-based economic reforms and a limited amount of political liberalization. In contrast, North Korea has remained a closely controlled economic and political dictatorship. In the following viewpoint, scholars Michael Parks and Gregory F. Treverton describe some of the changes China has made and suggest that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il may institute similar reforms. Such a development would probably delay reunification between North and South Korea, Parks and Treverton argue, but would make reunification less costly and problematic when it does happen.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What economic and political reforms...