북핵문제와 남북관계, 갈등과 협력의 이중주 - 앙상블을 위하여 -

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to find practical implications to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue through discussing the efforts and frustrations behind this subject. The main target of the study is the historical consideration of 20 years of the nuclear issue from the Kim Young-sam to the incumbent Park Geun-hye administrations, although the main focus is on Lee Myung-bak and the Roh Moo-hyun administrations. Kim Young-sam government departed from the sentiment of “Blood is thicker than water,“ but it ended up as a hardliner policy from its firm position that it will not hold hands with a nuclear state. This eventually led to North Korea’s policy of “Talk to the US, Isolate the South.” Roh Moo-hyun government took the approach to resolve the nuclear issue in the context of inter-Korean relations under the principle of intolerance for nuclear weapons, but North Korea retorted with the argument that 'nuclear arsenals' were not aimed for the South and North-South relations repeated the stop-and-go from North’s preference to talk with the US. Lee Myung-bak administration’s Vision 3000 or “denuclearization, openness, and 3000” policy resulted in all dialogues, exchanges and cooperation with the North to come to a complete halt, unsuccessful in achieving denuclearization or improving relations resulting in the worst inter-Korean relations in history. The Park Geun-hye government also is endorsing a strong ambition of denuclearization and at the same time showing a rather flexible attitude to continue humanitarian assistance regardless of political situation. The 20 years of the nuclear history of the Korean Peninsula indicates such duality— one that it is both inter-Korean and international concern. In order to overcome the duality, it requires harmonious ensemble with the major actors in the region to join in efforts and overcome challenges. The main tasks at hand is to turn the current inter-Korean relations to a virtuous cycle, balanced development of US-Korea and South Korea-China cooperation, and seek consensus-based resolution toward the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula. Under the duet of conflict and cooperation, all the players involved with the Korean Peninsula should attempt to form harmonious and cooperative ensemble in order to head toward the direction we want in reunification.