Compare and contrast the Bush and Clinton Administrations and the South Korean policy approaches toward North Korea. Your analysis should also include a review of the North Korean current military capabilities and its impact on policy alternatives.

The North Korean Problem

Foreign policies in contrast

The North Korean Problem

Foreign policies in contrast

American leaders have struggled to deal with communist North Korea for decades . It is a unique diplomatic problem . As China gradually opens up to democratic influence , North Korea remains as one of the few remaining communist stalwarts in Asia . American Presidents have been reluctant to deal with the issue . The militaristic stance of North Korea has forced recent Presidents to develop a diplomatic strategy , however

In general terms , the Clinton approach might be described [banner_entry_middle]

as a reward ‘ strategy . The G .W . Bush strategy , in contrast , is generally seen as a punishment ‘ approach . The strategy of both Presidents has been affected by events on the ground and the stance of South Korea . For both Presidents , the issues have proven to be difficult and lacking in clear-cut solutions . Both Presidents have learned , though , that the North Korean issue cannot be ignored

The North Korean Threat

There are few places in the world where the contrast between a successful democratic state and a poverty-stricken communist state is so stark . Recently , many news organizations aired a nighttime satellite photo of the Korean peninsula . The southern end was lit up , indicative of a thriving economy and culture . In contrast , the northern end of the peninsula was almost entirely dark

After decades of mismanagement , the North relies heavily on

international food to feed the population , while continuing to

expend resources to maintain an army of over 1 million , the

fifth largest army in the world . 1

1 . The Central Intelligence Agency . The World Factbook 2001 . Wash D .C : Brassey ‘s

2001 ,

.267

North Korea has , in many ways , isolated itself . Its economy is not self-sustaining , even though the country possesses a great deal of natural resources . Government policies have failed to stimulate business and international trade . Modern North Korea has been a dictatorship since its founding . When Kim Il Sung died , he was succeeded by his son Kim Jong Il

Last October , the North Koreans announced they had reprocessed

all 8 ,000 of their fuel rods and solved the technical problems of

converting the plutonium into nuclear bombs . 2

Kim Jong Il maintains his position with an iron grip . He resists overtures from Western countries , fearing that their influence will ultimately weaken his grip on power

In 2006 , North Korea exploded what was suspected to be a small nuclear weapon underground . The threat of a poor , desperate , dictatorial nation with nuclear weapons is rapidly becoming a reality . This action has moved the conflict to a new stage

The unpredictability of the North Korean regime is what makes it dangerous . Ultimately , the regime will do whatever it has to in to survive . This may include selling nuclear technology or materials to terrorists or rogue nations

For its own reasons , the North Korean regime has insisted on staying in the headlines . Feeling ignored while the West fights the war on terror the North Koreans have accelerated their nuclear program . Very… [banner_entry_footer]