Korea

Upon his inauguration in February 1998, President Kim Dae Jung initiated a groundbreaking process of engagement with North Korea called the "sunshine policy,h aimed at dispelling mutual distrust and hostility, while promoting peaceful co-existence between the two Koreas. Progress has been shown through tourist development at Mt. Kumgang and increased meetings of divided families, yet the positive aspects of the sunshine policy have recently been clouded by unforeseen actions taken by the Kim Jung Il regime in North Korea. Essentially the policy adopts the liberal institutionalism view that the utilization of institutions plays an important role in creating cooperation among the two nations. However, due to the ever increasing uncertainty of cooperation in the North, it is becoming clear that the sunshine policy is neither sufficient nor productive in ameliorating relations between the two Koreas and that perhaps South Korea should decide to implement a more realist approach in policy-making which stresses security above all things.

On July 27, 1953, the United States, North Korea and China signed an armistice in Panmunjeom, thus ending the Korean War. This settlement called for a

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One thing is clear; the sunshine policy has not generated any major breakthroughs. It is based on three central principles: non-tolerance of any military provocation by North Korea, the official abandonment of the idea of unification by absorbing the North and negation of any other measures to undermine or threaten North Korea, and the promotion of inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation (Hwang). South Korea should adopt a more pessimistic view of the North and realize that although peace between the two countries would be magnificent, it is practically impossible to deal with, let alone cooperate, with a country whose actions are dictated by an enigmatic, irrational leader. Aside from this, the frequency of reuniting separated families has said to have risen. Since the implementation of the sunshine policy, there is said to have been a phenomenal growth in the number of visitors to the North (Kim). Theoretically, North Koreafs actions are very realist at its core and South Korea would expect more success in relations if it adopted a policy that at least referred to the same principles. Lost in the idealistic hopes for beneficial exchange and potential peace was the inherent risk that North Korea possesses; unpredictability.

It is undeniable that the fate of South Korea once again rests in the hands of the international community, as in the Korean War, but South Korea must do its own part. The fervent desire for reunification from the mass population stems from divided families in the Korean War and it is generally thought that any attempt to aid in the communication between divided families is seen as a step toward potential reunification. Now that the economic deal has turned sour, South Korea must grasp the reality that its security has been weakened. temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement, a cease-fire, and a truce in hostilities, to allow for talks and negotiation regarding a real end to hostilities, and to possible reunification. In order to divert attention from the negative aspects, North Korea covered its tracks by agreeing to these meetings. Rather than waiting for Kim Jung Ilfs response, South Korea should attempt to increase its security and force its way out of the stagnation involving inter-Korean relations. Most recently, North Korea admitted to the existence of their nuclear weapons program, which completely betrays the principles of the sunshine policy. President Kim's proposal of a summit talk with Kim Jung Il has so far been ignored by the North.

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Approximate Word count = 1748
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

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