At the end of World War II the United Nations formally divided the Korean Peninsula at the 38th parallel. The Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) were soon established, but reunification has always been the ultimate goal for both countries. The DPRK tried to force reunification in the disastrous Korean War, which involved the U.S. and China. Since then, more emphasis has been placed on using diplomatic negotiations to reunify the country. These negotiations have involved the outside nations of Japan, the U.S., the USSR and China.
This report examines the objectives and effectiveness of the nations of Japan, the U.S., the USSR and China in the attempts at Korean unification.
“While each major power has offered verbal support for the reunification goal, there have also been some limited concrete steps by the powers to further the process as a means of reducing tension.” (p 88)
This report was released to the Nautilus Institute under the US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).