This paper reviews theoretical approaches and perspectives on the objective of the South and North Korea relationship, which lies in the compromise and cooperation between the two Korea for peace and unification, then it investigates issues related to new relationships between South and North Korea.
Rather than searching for alternatives as specific guidelines, this paper shows that every alternative is somewhat incomplete, and considers what are needed for implementing new policy alternatives from both theoretical and practical dimensions. It is not possible for policy makers and observers to seek policy alternatives bringing universal consensus as the decision making is based upon certain ideological standpoints. Yet, unnecessary conflicts and repeated mistakes can be mitigated, thus this paper seeks for rather comprehensive and approximate alternatives or mid-range theories.
The East Asian political regime is not only unstable but also volatile. Relevantly, the South and North Korean relationship is not institutionalized in terms of reconciliation and cooperation, but contingent upon situations and conditions.
The relationship between South and North Korea has been temporal dynamics, thus conversations between South and North Korean governments need to build upon institutionalized cooperative relationships, based upon mutual trust. In this era, we need to consider stable and institutionalized relationships between South and North Korea, beyond contingent relationships. Especially, we need to prepare policy packages which are based upon potential future changes in North Korea and to consider mid-to-long term policies towards North Korea, aiming for qualitative improvements in the relationship between South and North Korea, connected to the peace regime in East Asia.
Thus, from the frames of rational and gradual improvements, the peace regime in Korean Peninsula needs to be approached from issues understandable and agreed upon between the two Koreas.