China, the Great Powers, and the Koreas: Beyond the Beijing Olympics
Author: Andrew Scobell
A paramount geostrategic goal for China is to deny any other great power direct access to Korea. If outright control of the Peninsula is unachievable, then the second best situation for China is a divided Korea, which at least prevents other powers from having full control of Korea and limits Korea’s own power. Unless a unified Korea can be independent and neutral, China has no real interest in a unified and independent Korea. Thus, for the past sixty years or so a divided Korea has suited Beijing’s purposes.
(Pages 1 – 18)
China and North Korea after the Cold War: Wariness, Caution, and Balance
Author: Robert Sutter
A review of Chinese policy and practice toward North Korea since the end of the Cold War shows the Chinese administration endeavoring to sustain a leading position in relations with both North and South Korea as it reacts to changing circumstances on the Korean peninsula. Growing Chinese frustration with the twists and turns of North Korean behavior, especially Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons development, has not resulted in a major change in China’s reluctance to pressure North Korea to conform more to international norms and eschew provocations and confrontation. China’s focus has been to preserve stability in an uncertain environment caused by internal pressures and international provocations of North Korea, and erratic policies by the United States and South Korea.
(Pages 19 – 34)
U.S. Policies Toward North Korea Under The Obama Government
Author: Edward A. Olsen
U.S.-North Korean relations have been troubled for decades. The Obama administration deals with that legacy. The Obama campaign and his first year in office conveyed diverse implications for U.S.-North Korean issues. North Korea’s hard line posture and global economic and geopolitical pressures on the Obama leadership team made it hard to focus on innovative policy changes. Two captive American journalists in North Korea made it especially difficult. How that was resolved using former President Bill Clinton to help President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrange their release bolstered the prospects for change in U.S. policy. That was reinforced by the improvement in interKorean relations that followed inter-Korean meetings at former President Kim Dae-jung’s funeral.
(Pages 35 – 62)
Unraveling of U.S.-DPRK Nuclear Accord? A Post-Mortem Analysis of the Six-Party Talks (SPT) Process
Author: Young Whan Kihl
A question often asked regarding a “nuclear North Korea” is: “Have the Six-Party Talks produced any tangible results? An answer is both “Yes” and “No.” Pyongyang accepted “the Statement of Principles” in 2005 by pledging to “abandon its nuclear program, rejoin the NPT, and allow IAEA monitors to return, in exchange for North Korea’s receiving food and energy assistance from the other members.” Yet, it reversed this policy in 2009, timed with the inauguration of the Obama Administration. This article proceeds with a brief overview of the evolution of the Six-Party Talks (SPT) process, in terms of a theory of collective action and policy dilemma of coordination perspective.
(Pages 63 – 90)
ROK-U.S. Maritime Cooperation: A Growing Dimension of the Alliance
Author: Terence Roehrig
In June 2009, Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Barack Obama concluded a “Joint Vision for the Alliance” that called for the ROK-U.S. relationship to be a “comprehensive strategic alliance of bilateral, regional, and global scope.” While the focus of the alliance remains deterring an attack from North Korea, increasingly Seoul and Washington are confronting a broader array of common challenges such as piracy, illegal fishing, human trafficking, and preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction that have a maritime dimension. Moreover, South Korea has undertaken a determined effort to expand and modernize its naval capabilities to build a blue water naval fleet.
(Pages 91 – 124)
Promoting Long-Term Economic Growth: America and East Asia Working Together
Author: Doug Bandow
A deep recession and a dramatic financial crisis have shaken the global economy. Although Asian countries could not help but be affected, the impact on the region was less than many predicted. The surest strategy to a speedy economic recovery and prosperous future is strengthening economic cooperation within the Asia-Pacific and between the Asia-Pacific and the United States. That means maintaining an open trading system, encouraging bilateral investment flows, and working together to resolve economic disputes. Protectionism remains a dangerous temptation, but history suggests that all countries lose when they sacrifice economic ties in an attempt to win short-term financial advantage.
(Pages 125 – 145)
