korean unification studies

After a recent interview with an academic, I made some notes, which I leave for your perusal: Regional powers have a very limited interest in the unification of the Korean peninsula. The key reason for this is that a unified Korean peninsula is a strategic uncertainty. The current strategic situation already has a higher level of strategic uncertainty than the preceding [...]

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The Nautilus Institute has two thought provoking articles on the Leaders Summit that are a must read.  The first article, Seoul’s Impetuous Summit Initiative, by Bruce Klingner of the Heritage Foundation roundly condemns the Roh Administration’s decision to seek a Leaders Summit. Klingner argues that the timing (at the end of the Roh administration’s tenure), the place (in Pyongyang, rather [...]

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Choe Sang-Hun at the International Herald Tribune has written a tear-jerking story that really brings out the human cost of a divided peninsula. The article leaves a person with only one thought… this is so f&%^d up! I strongly recommend you read the article here. It describes the plight of a 70 year old German, Renate, who [...]

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A bit of light humor to mix up the serious stuff… 5 reasons why Kim Jong-Il did not visit the South for a return Leaders Summit: There are too many ‘bullet’ taxis on the roads (Korea is famous for ’bullet taxis’ or chongal taksi, which are notoriously fast). There are too many ‘cannon houses’ (‘cannon house’ or daepo [...]

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There are a multitude of scenarios put forward by analysts of how North Korea will be ruled after Kim Jong-Il. These include hereditary succession, military council or disintegration. One aspect that recurs in many of these studies is the importance of external support, namely Chinese support, to the success of any resulting regime. The assumption that China will [...]

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As suspected the Leaders Summit is coming under further scrutiny as a result of the delay. The Summit, originally due to occur 28-30 August will now take place 2-4 October after North Korea requested it be delayed due to flooding. Commentators are now questioning whether the delay is an election ploy by the current administration [...]

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One Free Korea has an update on the ‘Shenyang Six’ North Korean refugees who were arrested by Chinese authorities back in December 2006 – they are free!!! One Free Korea goes on to explore the possibility that this could be a change of Chinese policy – unfortunately this cynic sees it only as a wise [...]

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Japanese tabloids and prime time current affairs shows have an obsession about who will succeed Kim Jong Il. They interview ex-chefs, drivers, purported pleasure troupe dancers and even chase plumpish Asian guys with glasses and Gucci jackets down the streets of Macao, asking them in Japanese-accented Korean if their father is Kim Jong-Il… But for all their [...]

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