Korea Events Calendar
Upcoming events related to the Korean Peninsula
From Unification to Peaceful Coexistence: Call for a Paradigm Change in South Korea’s Policy toward North Korea
This lecture examines the ROK’s policy toward North Korea and calls for a paradigm shift in the ROK’s North Korea policy—from unification to peaceful coexistence. Since the division of the Korean Peninsula in 1948, unification has been considered the ultimate goal of the ROK’s policy toward North Korea. For instance, the Syngman Rhee government advocated for the “unification of the Korean Peninsula by military attack on North Korea,” denying North Korea’s statehood and legitimacy. It argued that “the ROK government is the only legitimate and lawful government on the Korean Peninsula recognized by the United Nations (UN).” From Syngman Rhee’s perspective, North Korea was merely a rogue regime that had illegally occupied territory belonging to the ROK, as defined in the Constitution as including “the Korean Peninsula and its adjacent islands.” In this context, North Korean territory was seen as an area that the ROK would eventually reclaim and unify by absorption. This official stance of the Syngman Rhee government has been consistently upheld by successive governments, even to this day. Despite numerous constitutional amendments and regime changes, the current Constitution—amended in October 1987—not only retains the territorial provision (Article 3), which states that “the territory of the Republic of Korea shall consist of the Korean Peninsula and its adjacent islands,” but also newly added Article 4, stating that “the Republic of Korea shall seek unification and shall formulate and carry out a policy of peaceful unification based on the principles of freedom and democracy.” This makes it clear that unification is a constitutional value to which the Republic of Korea should aspire. These days, however, negative perceptions regarding the necessity of unification are rapidly increasing in South Korea. Moreover, in December 2023, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced that relations between South and North Korea are no longer those of kindred nations, but rather hostile relations between two states at war, and declared that unification is no longer a national goal of the DPRK. Under these circumstances, this lecture calls for a paradigm shift and argues that peaceful coexistence should take precedence over unification in the ROK’s policy toward North Korea.
This lecture examines the ROK’s policy toward North Korea and calls for a paradigm shift in the ROK’s North Korea policy—from unification to peaceful coexistence. Since the division of the Korean Peninsula in 1948, unification has been considered the ultimate goal of the ROK’s policy toward North Korea. For instance, the Syngman Rhee government advocated for the “unification of the Korean Peninsula by military attack on North Korea,” denying North Korea’s statehood and legitimacy. It argued that “the ROK government is the only legitimate and lawful government on the Korean Peninsula recognized by the United Nations (UN).” From Syngman Rhee’s perspective, North Korea was merely a rogue regime that had illegally occupied territory belonging to the ROK, as defined in the Constitution as including “the Korean Peninsula and its adjacent islands.” In this context, North Korean territory was seen as an area that the ROK would eventually reclaim and unify by absorption. This official stance of the Syngman Rhee government has been consistently upheld by successive governments, even to this day. Despite numerous constitutional amendments and regime changes, the current Constitution—amended in October 1987—not only retains the territorial provision (Article 3), which states that “the territory of the Republic of Korea shall consist of the Korean Peninsula and its adjacent islands,” but also newly added Article 4, stating that “the Republic of Korea shall seek unification and shall formulate and carry out a policy of peaceful unification based on the principles of freedom and democracy.” This makes it clear that unification is a constitutional value to which the Republic of Korea should aspire. These days, however, negative perceptions regarding the necessity of unification are rapidly increasing in South Korea. Moreover, in December 2023, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced that relations between South and North Korea are no longer those of kindred nations, but rather hostile relations between two states at war, and declared that unification is no longer a national goal of the DPRK. Under these circumstances, this lecture calls for a paradigm shift and argues that peaceful coexistence should take precedence over unification in the ROK’s policy toward North Korea.
75 Years of Division: The Korean War and Its Legacy
This June 25th marks the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War—a conflict that divided a nation and its people. How is this war remembered today? What are the different perspectives from North and South Korea? And how do these narratives shape the current political climate in both the DPRK and the ROK? In this lecture, our speakers will explore post-war history and politics from both sides of the 38th parallel, followed by a Q&A session. The event will conclude with drinks to continue the discussion in an informal setting.
This June 25th marks the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War—a conflict that divided a nation and its people. How is this war remembered today? What are the different perspectives from North and South Korea? And how do these narratives shape the current political climate in both the DPRK and the ROK? In this lecture, our speakers will explore post-war history and politics from both sides of the 38th parallel, followed by a Q&A session. The event will conclude with drinks to continue the discussion in an informal setting.
