Relations Between the Two Koreas in 2009

Abstract

In 2009, relations between the Republic of Korea (ROK - South Korea) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK - North Korea) continued to be frosty. The Lee administration reaffirmed that it would uphold its policy position based on denuclearisation, reform and human rights, while emphasising that it would be flexible in persuading the North to accept these goals. Hopes that the pragmatic and result-oriented policy of the Lee administration would lead to a shift in the DPRK's position on denuclearisation quickly faded away. In addition to strong rhetoric denouncing the South Korean leadership, military provocations by the DPRK continued. Problems at the last remaining joint inter-Korean economic project, the Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC), intensified in the first half of 2009 but were eventually resolved, at least for the time being. Among the rare positive developments was the 17th round of family reunions held at Mt Kumgang during the Ch'usok holidays. Keywords:Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK); denuclearization; Kaesŏng Industrial Complex (KIC); Korea; Lee Myung-bak; military provocations; Republic of Korea (ROK)