Korean Choices
Great Decisions 2016 | Topic 5
At the end of World War II, Korea was divided. Today, North and South Korea couldn’t be further apart.
At the end of World War II, Korea was divided. The northern half of the Korean peninsula was occupied by the Soviet Union, the southern by the United States. Today, North and South Korea couldn’t be further apart. The North is underdeveloped, impoverished and ruled by a corrupt, authoritarian regime, while the South advanced rapidly to become one of the most developed countries in the world. With such a wide gap, some are asking if unification is possible, even desirable, anymore?
Latest News
Blogs
Articles
- North Korean Vulnerability?
- Theories on Why North Korea Rejects the World
- Loosening their Ties
- Let North Korea Collapse
- South Korea protests: Seoul rally against Park Guen-hye
- U.S. Expands North Korea Sanctions Over Arms Trade
- North Korea’s Collapse Is Just the Beginning
- Unified Korea and the Future of the U.S.-South Korea Alliance
Winter Updates
- North Korea Tests Nuclear Device, Claims Successful Thermonuclear Detonation
- White House Casts Doubt on North Korean H-Bomb Claim
- Stopping North Korea’s Nuclear Threat
- ‘Strategic Patience’ With North Korea Gets You Nowhere
- North Korea nuclear: What now after H-bomb test claim?
- Punishing Pyongyang: With new U.S. sanctions, how will China respond?
- Solving Long Division: The Geopolitical Implications of Korean Unification
2016 National Opinion Ballot Report
Related Organizations
Recommended Readings
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Creating Korea’s Future Economy: Innovation, Growth, and Korea-U.S. Economic Relations
This analysis explains South Korea’s “creative economy” agenda and outlines opportunities for Korea-U.S. economic cooperation.
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The Failure of the South Korean National Security State: The Sewol Tragedy in the Age of Neoliberalism
This article argues that inadequate government oversight and regulation contributed to the Sewol ferry disaster.
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Beyond Korean Style: Shaping a New Growth Formula
This report identifies challenges facing Korea’s economy and suggests potential responses. It places particular focus on the country’s growing wealth gap.
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An Initiative for Peaceful Unification on the Korean Peninsula
Speaking at Dresden University of Technology, President Park sets out her vision for reunification of the two Koreas.
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National Identity under Transformation: New Challenges to South Korea
Kim addresses the impact of immigration on perceptions of Korean national identity. He discusses the relative proportions of ethnic and civic Korean nationalisms.
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A Plan for Peace in North Asia
This opinion piece by President Park locates reconciliation, cooperation and peace in Northeast Asia as government priorities, arguing that regional relations must be approached with a “correct understanding of history.”
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Middle-Power Korea: Contributions to the Global Agenda
This report proposes strategies for maximizing Korea’s influence on the global agenda.
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The Koreas
A succinct, historically informed introduction to North and South Korea, the book considers the radically different ways these countries have dealt with the growing challenges of globalization.
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Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
This report assesses the human rights climate in North Korea. It calls for sweeping political and institutional reforms, and sets out recommendations for international relations with the DPRK.
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South Koreans and Their Neighbors 2015
This Asan Poll report summarizes findings on South Korean perceptions of its neighbors, and of foreign policy priorities and dynamics.
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Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
This report assesses the human rights climate in North Korea. It calls for sweeping political and institutional reforms, and sets out recommendations for international relations with the DPRK.
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North Korea’s Nuclear Futures: Technology and Strategy
This paper provides an overview of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
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Great Decisions 2025 Online National Opinion Ballots 
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