The stability of the North Korean regime is one of the vital factors shaping the regional politics of Northeast Asia. Recently, many observers have pointed to the non-reformability and unsustainability of the regime and conclude its collapse is inevitable.
Such predictions are nothing new given that this mantra has been repeated for two and a half decades. What is new this time, however, is that pundits make a case that we should actually prepare for a South Korea led unification in the Korean Peninsula after the collapse of North Korea.
Dr. Choi problematizes the return of the North Korean collapsism, arguing that it will only aggravate Pyongyang’s threat perception and justify its motives for continuing its nuclear program. From the vantage point of denuclearization, collapsism distorts the sound policy discussion, which is in sore need of a realistic, fact based approach with the goal of seeking a peaceful resolution to the current nuclear stalemate. He argues why and how we need to reformulate the denuclearization policy by revitalizing the 6 Party Talks.
Dr. Jong Kun Choi is Associate Professor of Political Science & International Studies at Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea. He works on International Relations theories and Northeast Asia’s security. He is currently serving as member of the advisory board for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Unification and the Air Force of the Republic of Korea. He is currently spending a sabbatical year as a visiting scholar at the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies in Copenhagen, Denmark. His official homepage is http://www.jongkunchoi.com.
A light breakfast will be served at 08:15
