korean unification studies

The differing views of the United States and South Korea on the nuclear issue were very evident at the press conference after talks between ROK Defense Minister Kim Jang-Soo and US Defense Secretary Robert Gates. The key point to make is that Gates believes that the anticipated resolution of the nuclear issue reduces the threat posed by North Korea. [...]

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With estimates on the cost of unification providing such alarming figures (as in the last post), it is natural for people to wonder where the money will come from. A paper by Yang Un-Chol at the Sejong Institute gives a good summary of how this could be achieved. Amongst the methods, he lists: Inter-Korean cooperation projects. [...]

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An ROK National Assembly Special Committee on Budget and Accounts has estimated that unification could cost around 1 trillion dollars – yes, 1 trillion – with the cost increasing further over time. The report notes the difference in timing. If unification occurs in 2015, it could cost around $858 billion over 10 years to absorb the North. If unification occurs in 2030, it [...]

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Roh Moo Hyun this week confirmed his belief in the stability of North Korea, stating that “it is very unlikely that North Korea will collapse”. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t bet money on it. You just never know… The aim of Roh’s speech was to build up support for the Sunshine Policy and [...]

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There are certain major powers that have historically played a key role on the Korean peninsula – and, if you think about it objectively, it has not always been an overwhelmingly positive role. China and Japan have duelled over the peninsula since time immemorial. Russia and the United States joined the fray in the 19th century and in [...]

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Is the driving force behind contemporary South Korean visions of unification really just ‘cheap labor’? The Christian Science Monitor asks this question in a recent article by our good friend Hans Schattle. Check it out! Sphere: Related Content

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Which should be first, ending the Korean War with a Peace Treaty or disarming North Korea’s nuclear programs? Ask anyone from the US and they will more than likely say that disarming North Korea should be first. North Korea’s nuclear programs are potentially a threat to their interests. Ask a South Korean and you may well get a [...]

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Over the last 5 years there has been a lot said about a rise in anti-Americanism in South Korea. Some commentators have gone so far to view it as the end of an era, as South Korea cuts the final threads of an alliance that has lasted more than 50 years. But is it really ending? One blogger [...]

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