북중 경제협력관계 변화와 한반도 통일환경 분석

Abstract

This study speculates on the effects changes in the Economic Cooperation Relationship between North Korea and China will have on the future unification on the Korean Peninsula, and Korea's responses. As China has risen to be one of the G2 nations, it has taken a new level in world order and this puts a focus on the safe management of local problems in East Asia. China and North Korea have developed a solid cooperative relationship in the political, economic, and military fields while maintaining special socialist systems in Northeast Asia. Reinforced economic cooperation between North Korea and China may bring general political change to the Korean peninsula and to Northeast Asia. This also has meaning in that the reinforced cooperative relationship is presented as another model for North Korean and Chinese relations. North Korea has reinforced economic cooperation between itself and China further by requesting economic support from China with the purpose to overcome the stagnation in the South and North Korean relationship since Lee Myeong-bak's government took office in February 2008. The changed relationship between North Korea and China was caused by construction of North Korea's powerful nation, cooperation for Chang-JI-Tu development plan and the stagnation in cooperation between North and South Korea, and strategic understanding of North Korea. These changes may affect the unification of the Korean Peninsula and the resulting ripple effects may accelerate changes in the political conditions on the Korean peninsula. The influences of an altered Chinese and North Korean cooperative economic relationship are presented as follows: First, it provides a chance for North Korea to open its gates. Second, it motivates North Korea to change from having a heavy industry-centered policy to a light industry-centered policy. Third, it will save resources in the future cost of unification. Korea's possible responses to these conditions are as follows: First, it should have a cooperative attitude to North Korea opening up. Second, it should have an attitude to participate in the development plan of Chang-JI-Tu to overcome the stagnant relationship between North and South Korea and to develop conditions for the unification of the Korean peninsula.