A Tale of Two Koreas: Breaking the Vicious Circle

Focus Asia December 1, 2013, No. 5

This paper traces the history of inter-Korean relations, highlighting that the failure of the ROK and DPRK to recognize each other remains a key obstacle to normalizing relations and resolving the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. It is argued that unification strategies based on absorption of the other are counterproductive and that without a change in thinking and strategies based on mutual recognition and the establishment of trust, it is impossible to find a lasting peace mechanism to replace the Armistice Agreement.

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