A Study on the Analysis of Changes in the ROK Government's North Korea Policy and Unification Plan

Abstract

This study analyzed how the ROK government's North Korea policy and unification plan have changed. The ROK government's North Korea policy and unification plan have undergone significant changes over the past several decades. Looking at the changes from the Park Chung-hee administration to the Moon Jae-in administration is important in developing future North Korea policy and unification plans. From 1961, during the Park Chung-hee administration, to 2022, when the Moon Jae-in administration ended, the ROK's North Korea policy and unification plan were examined. The reason for the analysis from 1961 is that this period was the period when North Korea was approached from a policy point of view after the Korean War. North Korea continues to threaten South Korea militarily after the Korean War and is increasing the threat by developing nuclear weapons and upgrading ballistic missiles. North Korea talks about reconciliation and peace on the outside, but in reality, it continues to seriously threaten the ROK's security. Nonetheless, North Korea is a target that the ROK must embrace and unify in the future. Therefore, the ROK needs to promote policies and measures that can cooperate with North Korea while being wary of it.