대북포용정책과 기능주의: 이상과 현실

Abstract

The key notion of functionalist integration theory is based on an optimistic prospect that the spillover from economic cooperation will promote peace and community integration. Along the same lines, the engagement policy toward North Korea embodies such principles of functionalism, of advancing peace on the Korean peninsula and community integration through changes in North Korea. However, the engagement policy encompassed both successes and failures. It was inadequate in promoting military trust-building and preventing nuclearization and sporadic armed clashes from the North. It was also found to be ineffective in prompting fundamental changes in the regime despite the recent moves towards opening up and reform. Unlike Europe, North and South Korea is exposed to instability and mutual heterogeneity from the extreme case of division system, making it difficult for outcomes of functionalism to be observed on a short period of time. In order for Korean functionalism, in conjunction with peace on the Korean peninsula and change in the North Korean regime to be actualized, the realities of the Korean peninsula must be fully understood and incorporated. Therefore, it will be a wiser choice to take a more realistic approach, to divide the goals of the engagement policy into minimum and maximum; through establishment of peace settlement and prevention of military provocation first and gradually proceed to the ultimate goal of promoting change in North Korea and community formation. Undoubtedly, the functionalist approach is the essence of North Korea policy but to successfully realize peace settlement, changes in North Korea and reunification, plurality of theoretical approaches must be attempted, including multi-level governance, intergovernmentalism, neo-realism, and constructivism; to integrate and supplement to reconstruct the functionalist theory.