North Korean Foreign Policy - by Yongho Kim (Paperback)

About the Book

Threat does not inherently matter unless it is perceived, and, on the other hand, anything that is perceived as threat matters, whether or not the threat rings true. North Korean Foreign Policy: Security Dilemma and Succession, by Yongho Kim, posits security dilemma and politi...

Book Synopsis

Threat does not inherently matter unless it is perceived, and, on the other hand, anything that is perceived as threat matters, whether or not the threat rings true. North Korean Foreign Policy: Security Dilemma and Succession, by Yongho Kim, posits security dilemma and political succession as the two main factors that North Korea perceives as threat, and that these external and domestic threats constitute Pyongyang's provocative foreign policy. North Korean Foreign Policy suggests that an effective policy for countries relating to North Korea, whether dovish or hawkish, should deal directly with Kim Jong-il's political survival, and not with Pyongyang's failed economy.

Review Quotes

For any specialist in North Korean studies the book will provide very useful background knowledge, so it clearly should be read and, occasionally, re-read.


This is a fascinating-and frightening-analysis of the drivers of North Korean foreign policy since 1979. Through close analysis of Pyongyang's words and actions, Kim shows that regime survival is the primary goal in a cold-eyed calculus of provocation and threats. Only reliable guarantees of the regime's security or-more likely-regime collapse will produce the conditions for a multilateral solution to the Korean problem.

This volume presents a timely, up-to-date, balanced, and in-depth analysis of succession politics, security dilemma, and foreign policy of North Korea. This is a must-read for all those who are interested in North Korean affairs.

About the Author

Yongho Kim is professor in the Department of Politics & Diplomacy at Yonsei University.