The anniversary "is an occasion for people of both Koreas to reflect on the stark reality of their national division," the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper said.

In an editorial it forecast that as was the case with East and West Germany in 1989, the Korean peninsula could see an unexpected reunification.

The Korea Herald made the same point. "Just as the fall of the Berlin Wall took the West Germans off guard, so may the collapse of the border fences come as a surprise to the South Koreans," it said, noting the recent ill health of Pyongyang's leader Kim Jong-Il.

"A key question here is whether or not South Korea is as well prepared for reunification as West Germany was. The answer is a resounding 'no.'"

The Herald noted South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak's proposal to help the North raise its per capita GDP to US$3,000 during the next decade if it abandons its nuclear ambitions.

"He apparently believes reunification is unimaginable until then," its editorial said.

"But what if the Kim Jong-Il regime should collapse now? How should South Korea fund the reunification cost, which researchers say would be astronomical?"

The Dong-A newspaper added that the road to reunification is growing rockier.

Kim "seeks to transfer power to his son while confronting the international community with nuclear weapons. The North's population of 24 million, brainwashed by their totalitarian government, is struggling with starvation."

The paper also highlighted the issue of the wealth gap, saying South Korea's gross national income is 38 times that of the North and trade volume 384 times more.

"Worse, the disparity is worsening with time. The only way for North Korea to stabilise its people's welfare is to take the path to peaceful reunification," Dong-A said.

Japan colonised the Korean peninsula from 1910-45. After its defeat in World War II, the country was hastily divided into U.S. and Soviet spheres of influence.

The two separate countries formally came into being in 1948. In 1950 the North invaded the South, triggering a three-year war.