한반도 평화체제 구축에 관한 연구

Abstract

ABSTRACT A Study on the Ways of Establishing a Peace System on the Korean Peninsula: Focused on the Key Issues and Tasks

Kim, Kwang-soo Advisory: Prof. Oh, Soo-Yol Dept. of Political Science & Diplomacy Graduate School of Chosun University

The peace treaty in the Korean peninsula is a long discussed security system to be constructed for the future, not a new one. Since the Armistice Agreement was signed, peace treaty has been under discussion both internationally and at the level of the two Koreas over two generations. Among the main discussions on peace system in the Korean peninsula was one held in Geneva(1954); and inter-Korean high-level talks (1990-1992), the Four-Party Talks (1997-1999), and the Six-Party Talks (2003-) have presented key challenges in response to the North Korean nuclear crisis. As a result of this, studies and discussions on peace system in the Korean peninsula have been continuing since the "Korean War". However, as the long-term armistice system continues, many people have tended to misunderstand the perception of the peace system. So, this study assumes that the armistice system of the Korean peninsula, having lasted for 60 years, should be transformed into a peace system, and deals with the implication and formation process of the peace system. In addition, by looking at the types and cases of peace system, and major issues, this study has searched for solutions for the construction of a peace system in the Korean peninsula. To prove the validity for constructing a peace system in the Korean peninsula, this study has analyzed the positions of the great powers around the Korean peninsula and its security environment, and examined the opinion that South and North Koreas should take the lead in constructing the peace system under the solid ROK-US alliance and the security system in Northeast Asia. In addition, the declarations on June 15th and October 4th by the South and North leaders have become instrumental in making efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. However, they failed to overcome the domestic ideological environment and lost their effect. Nevertheless, the Roh Moo-hyun government's Declaration on October 4th played a role in mitigating the hard-line policy of the US toward North Korea to some extent. This has shown that the diplomatic efforts of our government can play a role in affecting the US policy toward North Korea. However, the Roh Moo-hyun government's engagement policy with North Korea has been abolished by Lee Myung-bak and the Park Geun-hye governments, and turned into a hard line policy toward North Korea. In principle, this study regards the peace system in the Korean peninsula as the construction of peace system through exchanges, cooperation, and political and economic trust between the two Koreas. But we can not overlook the role and influence of the four powers such as the US, China, Japan, and Russia that affect the Korean peninsula. The more intervention of the surrounding great powers in the peace system in the Korean peninsula, the more difficult it is to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and build a peace system because of the different keynote and policies of the great powers in Northeast Asia. Therefore, I believe, many obstacles to overcome are as follows: First, South and North Korea should rebuild the North Korean economy through exchanges and cooperation, and build an economic community between them. Second, hostile acts have to be stopped, together with arms reductions between the two Koreas. Third, it is necessary to convert the armistice system into a peace treaty. Fourth, the cross approval by four great powers should take place quickly and the North Korean regime needs to be guaranteed. By doing so, when the peaceful coexistence environment is established in the Korean peninsula, the four powers of the US, China, Japan and Russia will reach the consensus of building a peace system. So this study has presented the preconditions for seeking solutions to constructing the peace system in the Korean peninsula.

Key Words: Peace System on the Korean Peninsula, Armistice System, North Korean Nuclear Issue, Economic Community between South and North Korea, Arms Control between South and North Korea.