korean unification studies

There is a new article at KINU on North Korea’s strategy of survival and its reasons for the upcoming inter-Korean Summit. The article, ‘North Korea’s Strategy of Survival and the Inter-Korean Summit Meeting’ by Suh Jae-Jean, paints a picture of North Korea on the brink of collapse. Suh considers that the poor economic situation has brought about a growth in economic autonomy, resulting in a loss of ideological consciousness and loyalty. Suh states:

A popular song that was written in North Korea to idolize Kim Jong Il, “Our Dear General, where are you?” now seems to be sung with a different underlying meaning: “Dear General, where are you, and what are you doing while the people are starving?”

Suh considers that the North Korean regime is using rapprochement with the US in an attempt to solve the linked problems of economic autonomy and loss of ideological consciousness and loyalty. According to Suh, this reflects similar events that occurred in post-Soviet states, as they sought to “reintegrate into the capitalist system”.

Suh goes on to elaborate on how the 2-4 October Summit, US-DPRK diplomatic normalization and the abandonment of its nuclear capability, fit into North Korea’s ”survival strategy”. The article is an interesting read and has some useful points for consideration. The article adds a strategic rationale to the often over quoted ”financial rationale”, of why North Korea agreed to the 2-4 October Summit.