데탕트와 한반도, 실현되지 못한 제3의 길

Abstract

Korea faced a crisis in the 1960s caused by the changes in international condition, in particular, a new approach of the Nixon Administration. However, the crisis provided a opportunity on the Korean Peninsula. Although the policy of the downsize or withdrawal of US forces in South Korea triggered security crisis from the perspective of South Korean government, it caused a peaceful talk between South and North on the Korean Peninsula. The US policy to reduce military budget in Korea was consistent with active responses both by South and North Korea.BR It was possible to replace the Armistice Agreement into a peace treaty and to neutralize the Korean Peninsula under the detente in the 1970s. Either South or North Korean government diversified diplomatic policies and sought to normalize relationship with antagonistic countries since the Korean War. The July 4th Joint Communique was an accord between South and North and the June 23 Statement in 1973 by South Korean government were results under the detente in Northeast Asia. In particular, since the 1973 statement included a clause to make it possible to join international organization both South and North separately, co-prosperity before unication would be possible. If a peace treaty were joined, economic prosperity through reduction of military expense would be possible. Even a neutralization of the Korean Peninsula was not inconsistent with US policy at the time.BR The opportunity in 1970s was missed ultimately, however. Focusing on South Korean condition which was chiefly analyzed in this paper, the Park government had a fundamental limitation to lead a big transition on the peninsula. It is because the government was maintained through strong anti-communism and tight control over civil society. The peace system on the Korean peninsula might weaken both anticommunism and authoritarian system. North Korea had similar condition with anti-Americanism. Although the opportunity missed in 1970s was come again in 1990s, South Korean government did not ride on the ow due to social discourse on the strong anticommunism after the democratization. Two failures in Modern Korean history could give meaningful lessons to current Korea standing in the international transition period.