Summer Readings....

The Real North Korea: Life and Politics in the Failed Stalinist Utopia by Andrei Lankov
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Excellent and historically based analysis of the development of North Korean politics, and what the current situation of North Korea means. It was interesting and often surprising in its conclusions about the likelihood of regime collapse and reunification. The author is an historian and does a great job about warning of speculations about the future. Nevertheless some of the scenarios are fascinating. Among the most interesting points: Collapse is likely to happen for economic not political reasons. Ironically, Income Inequality in North Korea will lead to the inevitable resentment and distress among the working class. Just as increasing contact with the west led to the eventual fall of the Iron curtain and Soviet empire, the same will happen as North Korea increasingly engages with the world.
Reunification may work the same way as Germany's did, but the gap between North and South Korea culturally and economically is much bigger. It would necessitate an 'affirmative action' of sorts and retraining for North Koreans to assimilate to a new society.
I am a history teacher, and I imagine the utter impossibility of my counterpart in North Korea suddenly being exposed to the rest of society. Since most North Koreans are unaware that a man has een walked on the moon this sudden knowledge wave would cause a culture shock akin to nothing the Western mind can imagine. A great and though provoking read.

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