North Korea at a Crossroads

North Korea at a Crossroads
by Suk H. Kim

North Korea at a Crossroads
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Book Summary Information

Author: Suk H. Kim
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-07-31
ISBN: 0786417412
Number of pages: 232
Publisher: Mcfarland & Co Inc Pub

Book Reviews of North Korea at a Crossroads

Book Review: Interesting History, Interesting Polical Analysis
Summary: 5 Stars

The title of this book is well chosen and its publication is very timely. North Korea is indeed facing perilous times. Then again it has in the past. From the 1950 war, the transition of power Kim Il Sung to Kim Jong Il, and the nuclear weapon agreement brokered by Jimmy Carter the recent history of North Korea has certainly been turbulent.

In more recent times, Korea has launched some very long range rockets and appears to have at least a few nuclear weapons. President Bush has identified them as a "rogue state" and part of the "axis of evil." North Korea along with Cuba remain as practictioners of the failed Communist system. These systems have proved that they can sustain huge armies, exercise strong control over their people, but also proved that centralized control of everything from farming to industrial production simply doesn't work very well. Friends of mine who recently visited North Korea report that the famine of the 1990's continues, although not as bad as it was.

A small book, at only 232 pages, it is a concise summary of the countries 4,000 year history and a political analysis of the recent past. Combined with this are several alternatives of what the future might hold. Can the status quo continue. Certainly not forever. Could the collapse of the Government bring about another war - certainly it could. The options and their likelyhood form a major part of the theme of the book, and they are carefully considered and disucssed. Excellent reading.

Summary of North Korea at a Crossroads

Some fifty years after war, the Korean peninsula remains divided at the 38th parallel. The end of the Cold War in 1989 brought changes to many communist states, but North Korea remains embroiled in international crises. Looking forward, North Korea seemingly faces four choices: collapse, further war, peaceful reunification with the south, or status quo.

This historical and political analysis covers the period from the division of the peninsula in 1948 to the future of North Korea beyond 2003. Topics include the Korean War, Kim Il Sung, famine, the economic collapse of the 1990s, Kim Jong Il, South Korea?s sunshine policy, nuclear ambitions, "rogue state" status, George W. Bush?s "axis of evil" remark made during his 2002 State of the Union address, and the current state of diplomatic relations. The final chapter considers the case for reconciliation. Appendix A is a chronology of the Korean Peninsula from 2333 BCE to 2003 CE. Appendix B is a directory of Korean Studies institutes and think tanks. Tables and statistics are integrated throughout the text. Reader aids accompany each chapter, including lists of further reading, key terms and questions.

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