북한의 대남협상행태: 지속과 변화를 중심으로

Abstract

This paper looks at North Korea’s negotiating behavior toward South Korea. During the last half century of division on the Korean peninsula there have been a number of negotiations between the two Koreas. During the negotiation process, North Korea has exhibited various kinds of negotiating behavior. At times this behavior has been consistent but at other times it has shown change. Such consistency and change can be more clearly seen in the ministerial-level meetings that followed the June 2000 summit meeting between the leaders of both Koreas. The kinds of negotiations that took place in the past at high-level meetings showed a strong tendency toward communication and understanding toward each other. In other words, North Korean representatives at official meetings insisted on explaining their intentions and only showed a lukewarm attitude toward demands made by South Korean representatives. However, in unofficial or undisclosed meetings, North Korea usually showed a more serious attitude. After the June 2000 summit, both Korea showed an attitude of substantial and productive give and take in their exchanges over the implementation of the agreements made in the Joint Declaration and compared with past agreements, there was a higher percentage of implementation. This can be seen as a change. However, North Korea showed a clearly unchanging attitude in negotiations with regard to the three principles of unification, distinguishing between unification events involving South Korean authorities and unification- oriented civil society groups. North Korea attempted to seize control of non-government by domination and forestalling. Clearly, after the June 2000 summit, North Korea showed a change from its past behavior in negotiations. This not only has implications for the development of inter-Korean relations, but will, without a doubt, have a positive influence on the peace process of the Korean peninsula. If lessons from past negotiations are heeded and the momentum of current negotiations is preserved positive results will continue to be mutually beneficial for both countries and progress toward unification can be made.