I have many friends in South Korea and while I am constantly assessing the threat form the north, I do not believe even they feel Reunification by force is possible. Everything now is about the DPRK's survival. They want either political negotiating chips or hard currency from anyone who can provide it to them.
IMO the DPRK knows without immense support from Russia or China that reunification is impossible. If China shuts down its rail lines into North Korea the nation's industry (what little there is) will grind to a halt in a few days.
China has begun direct trading with South Korea. Huge numbers of Chinese tourists travel to South Korea (even outnumbering the Japanese). Mid and long term China sees the ROK as a more valuable partner. IMO The only reason they don't completely undercut the North Koreans is that they do not want reunification to come at the ROK's terms, as well as not wanting a true East Asian democracy sharing a long border with them. The millions of Refugees China would be flooded with if the DPRK collapsed is also a concern for them.
I had really hoped that Kim's middle son who was European educated and reportedly a HUGE Eric Clapton fan would become the next "Great Leader". His seemingly laid back personality might have led to reunification coming peacefully. Unfortunately it looks like the third son (who by most accounts is a nut like his father) is being groomed to take over. Still when Kim's death happens anything can happen.
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