A few months later, provocations have died down. These days, you hear more “Gangnam Style” references than Kim Jong-un jokes (although the two often seem to go together.) This frivolous pattern of DPRK threats and nuclear tests is nothing new for the native Korean. My family seemed to view the situation as humorous rather than perilous. However, a country with the largest military in the world should never be taken lightly. I worry about my family in the South, knowing that one missile is more than enough to lead to an all-out war.

The recent events caused me — as well as other native Koreans — to once again ponder if there is hope for peace in the future. Some Koreans hope for unification while others believe the country is better off divided. I agree with the former.

The 38th parallel north haphazardly split the Koreas into two states. Two countries that share the same language, natural resources and people are at a military standstill against one another. It does not make geopolitical sense. The original plan by the United States and the Soviet Union to split the country has become obsolete. South Korea has risen from the ashes of war while U.S relations with the Far East are stronger than ever before. The time has come for Korean unification to become more of a forefront issue in East Asian politics.

But is there any real hope? Could two countries that have seen much political unrest finally see eye to eye? I believe it can happen in my lifetime. However, the catalyst will not be domestic affairs but Korea’s far larger neighbor to the northwest.

The People’s Republic of China is one of the only countries to have shared relations with North Korea. The Korean War would have likely had a more peaceful outcome if Mao Zedong did not respond to Kim Il-sung’s plea. In the 1990s, China was the main distributor of foreign aid that kept the Kim Jong-il regime running through a devastating famine that killed a quarter of the country’s population. Today, they remain the DPRK’s sole ally, sending masses of humanitarian aid that unfortunately ends up feeding its government while the majority of the country starves to death. China has been a key constituent in the history of both Koreas and also will be the catalyst for its unification. Quite frankly, China is the cornerstone of the DPRK’s existence as well as the key to its future.

To my delight, relations between the two neighbors have begun to deteriorate in the past few years. China has shown a lack of trust in Kim Jong-un’s young leadership as well as discontent for its nuclear ambitions. The Bank of China’s closure of its Pyongyang account is further support of the country’s dissatisfaction. It is time for China to re-evaluate its relationship with its temperamental neighbor.

China’s original ties to North Korea were based on suppressing western influence in the Far East. Now, as Chinese-U.S. relations have substantially improved and continue to develop, and the Asian superpower of 1.3 billion people begins to embrace capitalism, DPRK-China relations have become long outdated. Like an ex-girlfriend who continues to call, Kim Jong-un’s regime is a stumbling block to China’s future.

Recently inaugurated Chinese President Xi Jinping has shown a stronger response to its Stalinist neighbor — unlike ever before seen in history. However, other Chinese officials seem hesitant to cut ties because of how North Korea acts as a buffer to U.S. influence in South Korea.

But with a more open approach to governance in China, and capricious leadership next door, the severance of this historical alliance is viable. Xi met with President Barack Obama last week in another significant step to improving U.S.-Chinese relations. If the Obama administration continues to negotiate with China, and Kim Jong-un persists in deteriorating relations in its belligerent behavior, a historical reunification of the Koreas may be lingering on the horizon.

But why wait, Mr. Xi? China is more than capable of sustaining itself, not to mention the support it would receive from the global community. Your nation’s goals are peace, denuclearization and nonproliferation. Kim Jong-un’s recent provocations indicate that he is not as interested in building relations as his predecessors were. Every time the DPRK exhibits its unruly behavior, the reputation of your leadership takes a hit. The one-time ally is quickly becoming China’s great antagonist.

The global benefits of Korean unification should not be underestimated. Decreased military spending for the United States, a stronger Chinese economy and the dissolution of one of the world’s most oppressive communist regime would result in a steadier, more competitive global community. But in order for this to happen, China must take a more direct approach. Then, maybe one day, I will return to my home country to walk on the soil of a unified, peaceful Korean peninsula.

Derek Kim is the East Lansing Reporter at The State News and a journalism junior. Reach him at derek.kim@statenews.com.