What if Korea had unified in 1950?

What if the Korean War had ended in 1950 with a unified Korea? How would the U.S. and China have shaped a unified Korea?

The Korean War remains one of the defining conflicts of the Cold War, shaping the geopolitical landscape and the Korean Peninsula. Both sides came close to complete victory. What if the war had ended in 1950 with a unified Korea? How would the U.S. and China have shaped a unified Korea? How different would Korea be today if that had happened? Time for some creative speculation.

Unified Korea under weak communism

In this scenario, Korea emerges as a communist state under Kim Il-sung's leadership, aligned closely with both the Soviet Union and China. The U.S., having lost South Korea to communism, would likely be hostile, implementing economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation. The Chinese, on the other hand, would initially view Korea as a strategic ally and buffer against American influence in Asia. China's influence, along with Soviet support, would ensure Korea remains aligned with or at least not opposed to the communist bloc during the Cold War.

However, with the collapse of the Sov…