►Setting aside the North’s unprecedented concentration of missile tests this year, its renewed emphasis on tactical nuclear weapons, whose primary target is South Korea, is a bad sign for inter-Korean relations. ► Engagement with North Korea will succeed only if we start with issues that are politically nonsensitive and of interest to Pyongyang, such as humanitarian cooperation or best practices in climate c...

► Due to geographic, cultural, and historical proximity, it is evident that the Republic of Korea (South Korea) has a strong interest in actively dealing with the DPRK (North Korea) and in influencing the security situation on the peninsula. The key question is what South Korea can actually do to achieve its goals, beyond merely announcing grand visions or issuing moralistic appeals.   ► Pote...

► Rather than abiding by the engagement policy of previous administrations, the incoming Yoon Suk Yeol administration must devise a policy that reflects both the unprecedented changes in international order and the “relationship of power” between the two Koreas. ► In dealing with the South, North Korea established a new policy to achieve national unification through nuclear weapons. ► I...

► Even though North Korea brands the United States as its sworn enemy, it is ironically seeking U.S. attention by increasing the level of military provocations. ► The Yoon administration’s enhanced cooperation with the Biden administration will push Korea’s importance higher up North Korea’s strategic calculus.     North Korea’s Unsuccessful Attempt to Attract U.S. Attentio...

► The Yoon administration will pay special attention to North Korea’s recent threats against Korea and respond by drastically increasing Korea’s own response capabilities against the North’s nuclear and missile threats. ► Much of the Yoon administration’s effort to generate momentum towards denuclearization will be dedicated to strengthening its leadership. ► North Korea must come t...