Security Dilemma in Northeast Asia

A Case Study of North Korea

Abstract

In Northeast Asia, the security threat, particularly in connection with North Korea, is a significant threat to the global and regional peace. The actions of North Korea and its activities, such as the creation of nuclear weapons and military aggression have increased the tensions between North and South Korea as well as between the United States, China, and Russia. This article aims at analysing factors that relate to security dilemmas within the region, especially the military posture of North Korea. Based on the collected material, this article investigates the main actors’ reactions—the regional powers and the international community—and explores the processes that led to increasing tensions and the identified security issues; the paper also assesses the possible ways of addressing these threats. Stabilization and long-term peace require political dialogue, mutual trust with ambassadors’ reciprocal visits, membership in collective security systems, non-proliferation and arms limitation, and cooperation in economic matters. However, a variety of actors in the regional and international system are required to manage the threats of conflict and achieve stability in Northeast Asia. This qualitative research contributes to the existing literature on security problems and helps to discover ways of addressing regional conflicts based on cooperation and diplomacy.

Keywords: Security Dilemma, Northeast Asia, Democratic Republic of Korea, Korea-Armistice Agreement, Nuclear issues