NSPR6: North Korea's Regime Crisis and South Korea's North Korea Policy

Overview

On January 25, East Asia Institute (EAI) released its sixth National Security Policy Report (NSPR6), titled "North Korea's Regime Crisis and North Korea Policy." The report was primarily authored by Professor Shin Sung-ho of the Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University.

This issue systematically analyzes the dilemma confronting North Korea's regime, approaching the ongoing North Korean nuclear issue from the perspective of regime crisis. It posits that fundamental obstacles to resolving the nuclear issue and inter-Korean relations will persist unless North Korea resolves its internal regime issues.

As policy recommendations for the South Korean government to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, the report proposes new principles of engagement: "Bold support for a denuclearized North Korea," "Exclusion of preemptive military measures against North Korea," and "A multilateral approach through international cooperation."

Appendix List

1. Joint New Year's Joint Editorial of North Korea's Rodong Sinmun, Korean People's Army, and Youth Vanguard in 2005

"Let Us Further Heighten the Might of Military-First Through the United Will of the Entire Party, the Entire Army, and the Entire People."

2. Joint New Year's Joint Editorial of North Korea's Rodong Sinmun, Korean People's Army, and Youth Vanguard in 2004

"Under the Leadership of the Party, Let Us Wage a Revolutionary Offensive on All Fronts of Building a Strong and Prosperous Nation and Make This Year a Glorious Year of Victory."

3. Statements by North Korean Authorities

- Spokesperson Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Korea, "The U.S. 'North Korean Human Rights Act' is a Declaration of Hostility Towards North Korea," Korean Central News Agency (October 5, 2004)

- Rodong Sinmun, "The Confrontational Structure Between the Korean Nation and the U.S. Must Be Resolved Through Practice," Korean Central News Agency (September 30, 2004)

- Spokesperson Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Korea, "Condemning the Abduction of Republic Citizens by the U.S. and South Korean Authorities," Korean Central News Agency (August 3, 2004)

- Rodong Sinmun, "Adventurous Prank Targeting the Invasion of North Korea, 'Ulchi Focus Lens-04'," Korean Central News Agency (August 11, 2004)

4. Nicolas Eberstadt's Paper

"North Korea's Survival Game: Understanding The Recent Past, Thinking About The Future,"

Paper Prepared for Towards a Peaceful Resolution with North Korea: Creating International Engagement Framework, American Enterprise Institute, Washington, D.C. February 12-13, 2004

Author

Shin Sung-ho, Professor at Seoul National University