Problem and geographic context Japan invaded Korea in 1910. After World War II, Korea became independent from Japan and was divided into North Korea and South Korea. The United States supported Lee SeungMan in the South and the Soviet Union supported Kim IlSong in the North. The United States and the Soviet Union divided the Korean Peninsula approximately in two. Together, North Korea and South Korea form the Korean Peninsula, located in Asia. China lies to the north, with only the East Sea separating North and South Korea from Japan. North Korea also shares a border with Russia. The Korean Peninsula is valuable because it provides access to the East Sea, the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea. It provides a land route to China and is an ideal base for a military force. North Korea has valuable resources, including iron ore, coal and gold. Methodology Primary data was collected during a visit to South Korea, a tour of the third tunnel built by North Korean forces in preparation for a possible invasion of South Korea, and a visit to Imjingak . where South Koreans hang ribbons to show their support for reunification. Additionally, South Korean citizens were asked about the pros and cons of a reunified Korea. Secondary data were collected and analyzed from websites.Imjingak, where South Koreans hang ribbons for reunificationThis steam locomotive is a symbol of the division of North and South Korea.Analysis and assessment¬¬Since the end of the Korean War, North Korea has attempted to develop its military and nuclear weapons. UN sanctions were imposed on North Korea, which limited trade. In 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed and no longer supported North Korea. China has supplied food and oil but cut exports to North Korea...... middle of paper ......ble: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news /datablog/2011/dec/01/corruption-index-2011-transparency-international. Last accessed May 12, 2013. Trueman, C. (No date). The United Nations and the Korean War. Available: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/united_nations_korean_war.htm. Last accessed May 4, 2013. UN News Center. (2005). The General Assembly marks the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi extermination camps. Available: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=13102&Cr=semit&Cr1#.UZQk-7VmiSp. Last accessed March 12, 2013. Wisegeek. (No date). What percentage of GDP do countries spend on their military? Available: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-percent-of-gdp-do-countries-spend-on-military.htm. Last accessed May 12, 2013. Wolf, C. (undated). Korean reunification and reconstruction. Available: http://www.nbr.org/downloads/pdfs/PSA/BS_Conf06_Wolf.pdf. Last seen on May 8 2013.