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]
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