As pressure surrounding the Korean peninsula has accumulated in recent years, an unexpected sign of diplomacy has been made by supreme leader Kim Jong-un when he called for the reunification of North and South Korea on Thursday, Jan. 25.

After over seven decades of a divided Korea, many are ready to accept the reunification of a people separated by political alignment and the 38th parallel.

“The sight of this brought joy to my household. It’s good to see our two nations realizing their mistakes and trying to fix them. North or south — we’re all Koreans in the end. Hopefully the two will reunify and put an end to the conflict that has split thousands of families,” sophomore Billy Lee said.

Other than the announcement promoting travel, contact, and cooperation between the two nations, the North Korean government is also eager to participate in next month’s Winter Olympics with South Korean athletes, under a Korean Unification Flag.

Twenty-two North Korean athletes will perform at the games, and the women’s hockey team is the only one that includes both North and South Koreans playing on a team together.

“It’s pretty amazing how North and South Korea may finally be together in something,” senior Joseph Park said. “I’m really looking forward to future peace between the two nations.”

Although it is a small but meaningful step toward regional stability and international peace, continuous joint military drills with the United States and other outside forces is what keeps South Korea from earning the complete trust of their northern neighbors. As a result, Kim Jong-un keeps the threat of using ICMB’s against any potential aggressors relevant.

Next month’s Olympics, to be held in South Korea, will be a time where communication between the long divided peninsula will be at an all-time high. As dialogue increases, so does the chance of an official reunification.