Chinese Policy toward the Two Koreas
Author: Ilpyong J. Kim
The Chinese policy toward the Korean Peninsula from the beginning of the Korean War in 1950 had been to keep it within the Chinese sphere of influence. As the occupation of the Korean Peninsula by a hostile nation would inevitably threaten China’s national security it would not allow any foreign domination of Korean Peninsula. Therefore, China has consistently supported North Korea economically and militarily for the past half century. However, the Chinese policy toward South Korea was beginning to change as South Korea hosted the Olympic in 1988. North Korea also participated in the Olympic.
(Pages 1 – 20)
Running in Place: North Korea’s Nuclear Program and the Six-Party Talks During the Bush Administration
Author: Bruce E. Bechtol, Jr.
North Korea has developed a nuclear program that threatens the stability and security not only of Northeast Asia, but other regions (such as the Middle East) where it has proliferated nuclear technology. The events that led to the Six-Party talks are both compelling and important. The process was mired in debate and slow progress from its inception in 2003 until a breakthrough apparently occurred in the fall of 2005. But disturbing information about North Korea’s illicit activities and the corresponding actions taken by the United States Treasury Department led to another impasse until February of 2007.
(Pages 21 – 54)
A New Approach to Counter Nuclear Proliferation on the Korean Peninsula
Author: Doug Bandow
Attempts to reach and implement an agreement with North Korea to eliminate its nuclear program so far have failed. Efforts continue, but Pyongyang grew increasingly confrontational during early 2009. Prospects appear to be growing that the North will move ahead with an expanding nuclear arsenal. Should diplomacy fail, options to deter the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from continuing on its nuclear course are limited. War would be a disaster for all countries in the region.
(Pages 55 – 84)
U.S. Assistance to North Korea
Authors: Mark E. Manyin and Mary Beth Nikitin
For over a decade, North Korea has suffered from chronic, massive food deficits. Foreign assistance—largely from China, the United States, and South Korea—has been essential in filling the gap. Throughout 2008, United Nations officials issued increasingly urgent calls for international donations of food to avert a “serious tragedy” in North Korea, as hunger has deepened and expanded. In May 2008, the Bush administration announced it would resume food assistance to North Korea by providing 500,000 metric tons (MT) of food, 80% of which is to be channeled through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The rest is to be sent through a consortium of non-governmental organizations.
(Pages 85 – 106)
Addressing South Korea’s Greatest Strategic Vulnerability: Options for Decreasing Energy Dependency
Author: George Alan Hutchinson
South Korea is almost entirely dependent on foreign imports for its energy needs. For oil, the country is completely reliant on imports. Korea is actually one of the world’s leading petroleum importers, depending on the Middle East for over 80 percent of its imports. This form of dependency, or “super-dependency,” presents perilous risks for the country’s strategic outlook. In order for Korea to avoid becoming hopelessly marginalized by global petroleum price volatility, increasingly competitive world demand, and associated geopolitical hazards, South Korea must develop a viable strategy to address this strategic vulnerability.
(Pages 107 – 130)
The Economic Case for the Asian Monetary Fund
Author: Yoon-Shik Park
The inadequacy of the IMF to cope with today’s international financial problems has become increasingly evident. Its governance system is also antiquated since it primarily reflects the economic reality of the world some sixty-five years ago towards the end of World War II. Furthermore, the IMF’s resources alone are no longer sufficient in coping with new types of international financial crises that have afflicted the global economy in recent decades and that are likely to erupt in the future as well. As many Asian countries have realized that the IMF does not really possess adequate financial resources to assist them in the event of another Asian financial crisis, they have had to resort to massive accumulation of foreign exchange reserves themselves.
(Pages 131 – 143)
