What role do you think the ROK-US alliance plays in achieving unification for South Korea?
On March 27, Kim Sook, former Director-General of the Office of Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs at the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a lecture on 'the ROK-US Alliance for Unification and Diplomacy'.
Mr. Kim explained the historical background for establishing the ROK-US alliance, the security dilemma in alliance politics and the U.S. policy towards the DPRK. Until now, South Koreans have not had a concrete policy towards the DPRK, but the importance of having one was emphasized during the lecture. In addition, as the DPRK is the most isolated country in the world, we cannot easily see the effects of sanctions on the DPRK. But Mr. Kim was confident that the sanctions strategy have been working. In the last few years, it has been argued that the human rights and nuclear issues of the DPRK should not be separated but rather dealt with at the same time. According to Mr Kim, it is important for South Koreans to prepare for unification, by reaching a consensus on the idea of unification. However, at the same time, South Korea should create a unification policy taking into consideration the role that the US can play.
Next Monday (on April 4), Gyu Hyeong Lee, former South Korean ambassador to China, will deliver a lecture on 'The Role and Tasks of China for Unification Diplomacy.”
What role do you think the ROK-US alliance plays in achieving unification for South Korea?
On March 27, Kim Sook, former Director-General of the Office of Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs at the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a lecture on 'the ROK-US Alliance for Unification and Diplomacy'.
Mr. Kim explained the historical background for establishing the ROK-US alliance, the security dilemma in alliance politics and the U.S. policy towards the DPRK. Until now, South Koreans have not had a concrete policy towards the DPRK, but the importance of having one was emphasized during the lecture. In addition, as the DPRK is the most isolated country in the world, we cannot easily see the effects of sanctions on the DPRK. But Mr. Kim was confident that the sanctions strategy have been working. In the last few years, it has been argued that the human rights and nuclear issues of the DPRK should not be separated but rather dealt with at the same time. According to Mr Kim, it is important for South Koreans to prepare for unification, by reaching a consensus on the idea of unification. However, at the same time, South Korea should create a unification policy taking into consideration the role that the US can play.
Next Monday (on April 4), Gyu Hyeong Lee, former South Korean ambassador to China, will deliver a lecture on 'The Role and Tasks of China for Unification Diplomacy.”