American Relations With North Korea

Paper Summary:

This paper begins by outlining the transition of US policies towards North Korea and then focuses on John Kingdon's theory on public policy making and the role of various advocacy coalitions in the policy process. The paper then explores the human rights issues in North Korea and the role of Congress in regulating U.S. policy toward North Korea. Next, the paper examines how tensions over North Korea's nuclear program have escalated interest in trade and in the U.S. Defense Department's program to reclaim the remains of servicemen missing from the Korean War. The paper considers Congress' options for future assistance to North Korea and concludes with several think tanks' perceptions on US- Korea relations.

Outline:
Thesis Statement
Transition of US Policies towards North Korea
Agendas, Alternatives and Public Policies
Theories of the Policy Process
Special Interests Group
Role of Congress
Other Forms of U.S.-North Korean Economic Interaction
Policy Options
Think Tanks Perception on US- Korea Relations

From the Paper:

"For four decades after the ending of the Korean War in 1953, U.S. strategy toward the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK, commonly referred to as North Korea) was relatively simple: dissuade an attack on South Korea, an approach that included a freeze on virtually all forms of economic contact between the United States and North Korea. In the 1990s, two developments compelled the United States to rethink its relationship with North Korea: North Korea's progress in its nuclear weapons program and massive, chronic food shortages in North Korea. In response, the United States in 1995 began furnishing the DPRK with foreign assistance, which has totaled over $1 billion. This aid has consisted of energy assistance through the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO), food aid, and a small amount of medical supplies (Feffer 12)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Appleman, Roy E. (South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu June-November 1950), United States Army in the Korean War series Washington: GPO, 1986), ch. 11.
• Choi, E. Kwan, E. Han Kim, and Yesook Merrill, eds. North Korea in the World Economy. New York: Routledge, 2003.
• Cornell, Erik. North Korea under Communism: Report of an Envoy to Paradise. New York: Routledge, 2002.
• Crawford, Timothy. North Korea and the Bomb: A Case Study in Nonproliferation; Journal of International Affairs, Vol. 51, 1998.
• CRS Issue Brief IB98045, Korea: U.S.-Korean Relations - Issues for Congress.

More papers on American Relations With North Korea:

• Research Paper # 118147 : "American Foreign Policy"
• Analytical Essay # 59536 : "Axis of Evil" Speech"
• Term Paper # 117967 : "The Korean War"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: