The Future of the Korean Peninsula: Korea 2032 and Beyond (Routledge Studies on Think Asia)

This book considers both Koreas - North Korea and South Korea - to examine possible pathways for the years leading up to 2032 and beyond, thus offering a composite picture of Korea and its strategic relevance in Asia and the world at large. Through a combined South-North Olympic team and an effort of jointly hosting the Games, Republic of Korea president Moon Jae-in has marked the year 2032 as special in the future of the Korean Peninsula. Although the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed scepticism about a combined hosting of the Games, the expectation in Korea is that this event will underline the shared destiny of the people inhabiting the peninsula and realign two states still caught in an ideologically fraught civil conflict that is one of the last vestiges of the Cold War. Chapters begin with a brief historical review and analysis of the present, before moving to consider how these will shape the next decade, drawing comparative and complementary analyses. No matter how contrasting the contemporary trajectories of both North and South Korea might appear, ‘Korea’ as a singular entity is an old concept still containing great possibilities. As the ongoing inter-Korean reconciliation process underscores, the futures of North and South Korea can be found in a complementary singular Korea, which would again represent an important political, strategic, cultural, and social space in Asia. An evaluation of the future trajectory, social awareness and perception of the Koreas, this book offers a valuable contribution to the study of North and South Korea and Asian Politics. Review "In this brilliantly written and incisive volume, rising stars and veteran scholars of Korean and international affairs untangle the complex subject of two Koreas by leveraging their expertise and knowledge from a broad range of disciplines. The contributors bring to the table fresh perspectives on the traditional issues of alliance relations, regional rivalries, and challenges of nuclear North Korea, as well as providing a deeper look into the normative fundamentals of two Koreas. When interests and stakes on the future of the Korean peninsula could not be any higher, this timely volume delivers keen insights into how the two Koreas could look like in a decade henceforth." Go Myong-hyun, Senior Research Fellow, the Asan Institute for Policy Studies "What future might the next decade hold for the Korean Peninsula? In this excellent volume, a stellar group of scholars sets out to answer this question. Critically analysing the position of the two Koreas vis-a-vis their different domestic audiences, as well as regional and global actors, the contributors to the volume explain how and why the Koreas are positioned to make an impact across a wide range of areas. But the contributors also warn the Koreas that they will have to address domestic and international challenges difficult to solve. This is a recommended volume for anyone interested in understanding why the Koreas will shape but also be shaped by both predictable and unforeseen events." Ramon Pacheco Pardo, KF-VUB Korea Chair at the Brussels School of Governance, Professor at King's College London "Comprehensive analysis of obstacles to peace and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula, but also offering a perspective for 2032 in taking into account not only economic and security issues, but also social and ideational factors that need solutions. New perspectives at the beginning of the Biden Administration after four years of glamorous stand-still." Michael Reiterer, Ambassador (ret.) of the European Union to the Republic of Korea About the Author Mason Richey is Associate Professor of International Politics at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul, South Korea. Jagannath P. Panda is a Research Fellow and Centre Head for East Asia at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, India. David A. Tizzard is Assi