Hint of a thaw between North and South Korea

Like Arctic permafrost, the relationship between North and South Korea has continued to be frigid despite a suggestion of some warmth around the edges in July 2000 when South Korean President Kim Dae-jung initiated contact with the North Korean government. But while increased warmth could have a deleterious effect on the Arctic, a political thawing on the Korean peninsula would be greatly welcomed.
In 2000, Kim won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to reconcile the two nations, which have remained in a state of war since 1953 when the Korean War nominally ended -- but with no peace treaty between the Communist North and capitalistic South. Families separated by the war and the 38th Parallel dividing line remain separated. And while South Korea has thrived, with the support of the United States, and now has the 12th largest economy in the world, North Korea has remained on the edge of famine, its limited resources committed to its war machine and a standing army of more than 1 million active-duty soldiers.
Lost opportunity: After Kim went to North Korea nearly two years ago, it had been hoped that the process of reconciliation would continue. But relations between the two Koreas cooled after US President George W Bush took office and expressed skepticism about North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. The situation worsened when, during his State of the Union speech, President Bush declared that North Korea was part of an axis of evil that included Iraq and Iran. While the president's declaration earned him points at home, his characterization of North Korea shut down the bridges that were being built between the two adversaries.
However, more is at stake than just the relationship between North and South Korea. The United States has been trying to negotiate a nuclear arms reduction treaty with the North Koreans, which is critical to maintaining stability in the region.
With the North Korean economy in shambles, the export of nuclear weapons and other war materiel is a source of desperately needed funds. The North must be propped up financially to avoid the collapse of the regime and the host of problems that would result -- from the North Korean army invading the South; millions of starving refugees heading across the borders with South Korea, Russia and China, or a military coup.
The more than 35,000 U.S. troops that remain in South Korea would have to join the fray, and the United States could be drawn into another war.
It's understandable, then, that South Korea's leaders would want to initiate talks with the North Lim Dong-won, a special advisor on national security to President Kim, will travel to Pyongyang next week. World peace will be advanced if he is successful.