An Apocalypse Lurks in the Korean Peninsula

Rajaram Panda
Archive data: Person was Research Fellow at IDSA from January 2009 to January 2012 Joined IDSA January 2009 Expertise Japan’s Foreign and Economic Policy, Security and Strategic Perspectives, Resource Diplomacy,… Continue reading An Apocalypse Lurks in the Korean Peninsula read more

The temporary hope of peace returning to the Korean peninsula following North Korea’s peace overtures dissipated no sooner than it started when North Korean negotiators walked out of the meeting room at the DMZ in Panmunjam. North Korea refused to take responsibility for the sinking of Cheonan and denied any involvement in the sinking, rejecting a report by a commission of international experts, which concluded that a North Korean submarine fired a torpedo at the Cheonan. China is unable (or unwilling?) to use its leverage to rein in on Pyongyang, leaving the peninsula volatile and peace fragile. Pyongyang’s brinkmanship thus continues.

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Keywords: Korean Peninsula, North Korea, South Korea