December 2015: Ending the Year on Two Down Notes in Inter-Korean Relations
A good stretch of optimism in inter-Korean relations ended in December, even before tensions rose in early January 2016 with North Korea’s fourth nuclear test.
North Korea’s “H-bomb” Test – How to React
With the fourth test now behind us, the next question becomes: How should the international community react to the event?
North Korea’s Nuclear Test and What Comes Next
In the aftermath of what appears to be a fourth nuclear test by North Korea the question becomes, what comes next?
A Look Back at the Korean Peninsula in 2015
As we look back at the events that helped to shape the Korean peninsula in 2015, it is also an opportunity to review the events we highlighted on The Peninsula in our annual 10 Issues to Watch For on The Korean Peninsula in 2015 blog and the key events that we did not predict.
November 2015: Bookended by Military Operations, Talks Move Forward in Inter-Korean Relations
In November, both Koreas continued to demonstrate a willingness for inter-Korean contact while also maintaining a commitment to improve security. Military actions over the past few months have not scuttled opportunities for dialogue. Inter-Korean talks in November led to scheduling talks set for December 11 at the vice minister level.
Five Issues Ban Ki-Moon Should Raise If He Goes to North Korea
There are five issues that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon should raise if he is able to visit North Korea.
U.S. Presidential Debates Enter Rhetorical Overdrive
What clues can we detect in the U.S. presidential debates thus far about how the candidates view foreign policy, international trade, and, more specifically, relations with the Republic of Korea?
October 2015: Building from Family Reunions While Tensions Remain in Inter-Korean Relations
With North Korea celebrating the anniversary of its Workers Party on October 10, there was also some initial concern that the event would be marked by a missile launch or nuclear test, which would damage the possibility of the family reunions scheduled for later in the month. No missile or nuclear test occurred, and both the parade for the anniversary and the family reunions took place.
Why North Korea’s “Non-Apology” Apology is Significant
In the aftermath of the recent tensions on the Korean peninsula some commentators have contended that South Korea is spinning the idea that North Korea apologized for maiming two South Korea soldiers when it didn’t directly claim responsibility for the act but merely expressed regret.
North Korea Blinks
No one apart from the representatives of the North Korean and South Korean governments who took part in the marathon talks over the weekend of August 22 can know exactly what took place. But there is some inevitable spin regarding who came away the “winner.”