On a bright summer morning on the Yellow Sea in 1999, two eruptive nations clashed again, one of many stirring incidents between the sentient time bombs after their famous war. Bullets whizzed past the North and South Korean sailors, and volleys of cannons caused widespread damage and destructive chaos that lasted ten minutes. This merciless firefight resulted in heavy casualties on both sides and one ship sunk; caused by this unstable "battle", whether the two countries will continue to coexist in a no-win relationship remains a mystery. The United States and neighboring countries fear a full-blown nuclear war, but despite these concerns, both Koreas have demonstrated attempts at peaceful negotiations by sending officials to talks in recent crucial years. The conflict between South and North Korea remains a hot topic globally, particularly gaining more attention following the death of Kim Jong Il, a longtime North Korean dictator, in December 2011 Relations between the two Koreas have always remained volatile and dangerous and, making a prediction through past incidents and meetings, both options of war and unification are highly likely outcomes between the brotherly nations. In the century where two destructive and costly global conflicts have already occurred, a savage war has broken out in distant countries. located at the ends of Asia. As predicted by Michael Hickey, Korea, a Japanese colony since 1910, was to be occupied north of the 38th parallel by Soviet Russia and south of the line by the United States while awaiting its independence. However, tensions rose as both sides showed signs of hostility, with their dictators openly declaring that their "objective was to impose the nation...... middle of paper ......ar. 2011. Internet. Feb 20 2012. “Korean War.” History.com. A&E Television Networks. Internet. February 20, 2012. story.com/topics/korean-war>. “North-South Korean conflict. » Online collection on global issues in context. Detroit: Gale, 2012. Global Issues in Context. Internet. January 10, 2012 Offley, ed. “THE WAR WOULD BE FILLELESS, BUT THE REGIME COULD BECOME DESPERATE. » Seattle Post-Intelligencer [Seattle, WA] May 9, 1997: A8. Global Issues in Context.Web. January 25, 2012. Sang-Hun, Choe. "South Korea warns North against nuclear first strike." New York Times January 21. 2010. Global Issues in Context. Internet. January 25, 2012.Sullivan, Kevin. "Tensions Ease After Korean Clash; Diplomacy Continues Despite SeaBattle." Washington Post June 16, 1999: A24. Global issues in context. Internet. January 17.2012.