With the passing of Kim Jong Il, North Korea prepares for a major leadership transition and potentially a new path. What will the future North Korea look like? How might it change? Where could we look to see an alternative?
South Korea presents an interesting example of the possibilities for North Korea.
Ethan Wilkes, a grad student at Columbia University's SIPA and Editor-in-Chief of The Morningside Post, has spent time traveling in both North Korea and South Korea.
On hearing the news of Kim Jong Il's death he reviewed photos from his trips and put together a stunning photo essay comparing and contrasting the two countries. Originally, featured on The Morningside Post, we have a selection of his photos here. The complete set is fantastic and you should also check it out for yourself.
Wilkes explains in his piece:
"Sitting at the crossroads of one of the most economically dynamic regions of the world, the dismal state of decay that this country currently finds itself is not a product of poor geography, but of decades of maligned politics and policies.
When stepping off the Tupolev Tu-154 and onto the tarmac at Sunan International Airport in Pyongyang, the impression is an immediate and profound “it doesn’t have to be this way.” Once seeing South Korea that impression is only reaffirmed tenfold."