Multipolarité et prolifération en Extrême-Orient : implications pour la sécurité régionale et coréenne

Abstract

Multipolar East Asia and Implications for Regional and Korean Security by Chung Min Lee Despite recent encouraging developments such as economic growth, démocratisation and reconciliations in Asia, difficulties loom ahead. Weapons procurement, notably of ballistic missiles, and the modernisation of defence capabilities are particularly apparent in the region. They are linked both to prosperity, as well as to concerns about China and about nuclear proliferation (for instance in India, Pakistan and North Korea). In spite of an assertive atitude, American non-proliferation means seem limited. Washington thus veered towards a more conciliatory approach to North Korea, which has been of some concern to Seoul. Some doubt has been cast over the credibility of the US commitment to South Korea's security including by means of nuclear weapons in case of North Korean attack. The end of the cold war has not fundamentally changed the Korean peninsula's dilemma. Reunification seems inevitable in the future, depending on political changes in the North.