How will external powers affect Korean reunification?

Abstract

The Korean peninsula has been a focus of contention since the nineteenth century. Following the division of the peninsula after World War II, the issue of when, and how, Korea will be reunified has been a subject of intense interest, one that has been encouraged by the end of the Cold War, the economic weakness of North Korea, and North Korea's decision to pursue a nuclear option. Although war failed to unify the peninsula in 1950-1953, the fear is that a desperate communist regime may again attempt to unify the peninsula by force. A second scenario for unification envisions the implosion of a debilitated regime in the North. Finally, a peaceful reunification through diplomacy constitutes a third scenario. Although reunification is intensely desired by the Korean people, the United States, the PRC, Japan, and Russia prefer a continuation of the status quo. This thesis examines the various scenarios for Korean reunification and their implications for the international relations in Northeastern Asia. It concludes that the collapse of the political system in the North Korean state will initiate reunification. As a result of this, China will play the greatest role upon reunification and therefore have a superior influence over the peninsula.