첫 남북 정상회담에 이르는 남한의 정책과 북한의 반응

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to reveal how the Kim Dae Jung government achieved the inter-Korean summit when implementing friendly North Korea policies. The research method is divided by period to compare major policies of South Korea with how North Korea reacted, and qualitative research is conducted through literature analysis such as Rodong Sinmun. The study focuses on what conditions North Korea reached and sat at the negotiating table between the leaders. Despite the South Korean government’s consistent policy toward North Korea, it took a considerable amount of time to respond to North Korea’s concerns about the regime’s threat and to put down doubts about the South Korean government. As a result, it can be confirmed that the engagement policy with North Korea was not a sufficient condition for inter-Korean relations to progress, but a necessary condition. Although friendly North Korea policies alone could not lead to the summit, it can be said that the unchanging engagement policy with North Korea has become the basis for inter-Korean harmony in line with the time when internal and external factors surrounding the Korean Peninsula are favorable for relations.