Asia’s Latent Nuclear Powers: A Review
In an important and timely new book, non-proliferation expert Mark Fitzpatrick, explores Asia’s latent nuclear powers and the prospects of South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan going nuclear.
South Korea’s June 9 Surprise: Economic History Worth Replicating in North Korea
September, 1961 was not a happy time in South Korea, and parallels to today’s North Korea are uncanny.
The Beginning of a New South Korea-Iran Relationship?
While relations with Iran hold significant promise with the removal of economic sanctions, they also have the potential to be extremely complex.
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?
The Irish Peace Process: Insights and Differences
In discussions of Korea’s possible reunification, observers often cite the German unification and integration process – but what about Ireland?
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.
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.
Congress Wants to Up the Pressure on North Korean Human Rights Violators
Earlier this month, three U.S. senators took on North Korea (DPRK) by introducing a broad sanctions bill aimed at addressing concerns about cyberwarfare and the North’s continued nuclear ambitions.
How a Northeast Asian Development Bank Could Succeed
Still in the nascent stage of planning, a Northeast Asia Development Bank would serve as a multilateral development bank (MDB) to attract investment in Northeast Asia, specifically intending to incentivize the DPRK to denuclearize through access to external capital for development.