This weeks readings covered the North Korean and American relations. North Korea has been a concern to the international community since its change in leadership under Kim Jong Un due to its violation of human rights. What has made their relations worse, is North Korea’s possession of nuclear weaponry and their allyship.
Maintaining diplomatic relations would be in the best interest for the UN since China is the largest trade partner and its preexisting tense relations with China. North Korea has been specializing in its submarine ballistic missiles. Clemens emphasizes US importance to continue diplomatic relations due to North Koreas rise in weaponry. He comes up with various solutions: ignoring North Korea, continue to negotiate, retreat its military forces from South Korea and Japan, Bomb North Korea, etc..
Although there is no optimal solution to stop North Korea from continuing to build its nuclear arsenal. Clemens brings up a perspective which has brought up to my attention.. What if both Koreas finally unify? Would it be more influenced by the North or the South? Would it finally stop from having nuclear weaponry? Where would their allyship be supported? There is no doubt a unified Korea would face economic struggles. As we have seen, countries who have economic struggles are measure well below the economic development scale faces political hardships. Personally, if it does happen, I believe allyship should be responsible for its economic growth. If western influence becomes more prominent in the New Korea, US and additional allies would have to help fund its new government, something US would probably want to back off of right now.
One reply on “Week #10”
Karine,
Although I don’t think “allyship” was the word you wanted to use (you can look up the meaning), the question of what would be the position of a reunited Korea is a very interesting one. North Korea is very isolated and, by its own choice, really only has any relations with China and Russia. It seem rather unlikely that a united Korea would remain in their orbit, however. –Professor Wallerstein