THE FUTURE OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA: Korea 2032 and Beyond | Edited by Mason Richey, Jagannath P. Panda, and David A. Tizzard

Global politics has long been concerned with issues of international peace and security. Recent incidents such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and terrorist actions fuelled by ethnic tensions have exacerbated these concerns. Furthermore, the longstanding confrontation between South Korea and North Korea in Northeast Asia still remains a critical factor in worsening global security conditions. The book The Future of the Korean Peninsula: Korea 2032 and Beyond, edited by Mason Richey, Jagannath P. Panda, and David A. Tizzard, offers fresh insights into the persistent security challenges in Northeast Asia, with a particular emphasis on the latest political developments surrounding the Korean Peninsula. The authors in this book delve into key questions about how international stake holders, including the US, China, and Japan, might strategically respond to recent efforts towards reconciliation and cooperation in this region, and the potential implications for future Korean reunification. Unlike much of the existing literature that typically begins its analys at the de facto division of the Korean Peninsula, the authors of this volume propose that issues such as North Korea-South Korea relations, alliances, nuclear weapons, deterrence, and economic connectivity are all complex and multifaceted (26). In this regard, they offer a fresh perspective that views the confrontation in Northeast Asia through the lens of North Korea and South Korea pursuing similar goals and cooperating with each other, marking a significant contribution to academic discourse.

The strength of this edited book lies primarily in its structural consistency across chapters, which makes it easier for readers to navigate the complex geopolitical issues discussed. Each chapter starts with a concise summary of the historical developments relevant to its subject. The authors then discuss the current context in each subject area, tracing its developmental trajectory, and identify the political, economic, and social conditions necessary for future Korean reunification. Another notable strength of the book is the inclusion of exploratory findings, derived from thorough descriptive analysis of the historical development of geopolitical security issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula. These findings definitely enhance our understanding of regional peace and security and provoke constructive debates about future strategic interactions between international stake holders in this region.

For instance, the book highlights a domestic factor shaking up the stability of peace: regime changes in South Korea. It contrasts these changes with the consistent strategic positions of international stakeholders (32). This argument aligns with existing literature that links government or regime change to policy shift (R. M. Siverson and H. Starr, “Regime Change and the Restructuring of Alliances,” American Journal of Political Science 38, no. 1, 1994). Though it is a reliable argument, it is important to note that the book’s unity perspective is supported by additional analysis showing that both progressive and conservative governments in South Korea share the goal of securing peace on the Korean Peninsula, despite employing differing strategies. Additionally, it should not be ignored either that the policies of ideologically distinct South Korean governments toward North Korea are often influenced by the strategies of international stakeholders rather than by ideological differences alone (Soo-ho Lim, “Transfer of Power and Change of North Korean Policy: Focusing on Lee Myung-Bak Administration,” Journal of Korean Politics 19, no. 2, 2010). Furthermore, the book may overlook the fact that South Korean governments, regardless of regime changes, have long maintained a fundamental approach to reunification through gradual and peaceful steps.

Another intriguing argument worth discussing is the issue of fragmentation among US political elites during the Trump administration (71). The recent political polarization in the US—a major regional stakeholder—is strongly linked to increased security instability in this region. Thus, examining the significant characteristics of recent US domestic politics, to include elite fragmentation and political polarization, is a much more crucial subject. That is, given the significant impact of the Trump administration on US politics and regional security, it would be more compelling to discuss how recent changes in US domestic politics might influence the security environment in Northeast Asia, particularly concerning nuclear weapon development.

The book has a few minor weaknesses.  First, the emphasis on the year 2032 in the subtitle of this book can be distracting. While that year is significant because South Korea applied to co-host the Olympics with North Korea, the application failed and does not carry substantial meaning. Thus, the year in the title may confuse readers who are trying to understand the importance of 2032 for Korean Peninsula security. Second, there is considerable overlap and repetition in the description of historical developments across chapters. While this is somewhat unavoidable when focusing on specific regional security from the historical perspective, it does somewhat detract from the authors’ contributions.

Overall this book is an ambitious effort that guides readers through potential future security developments on the Korean Peninsula. Despite some repetition in the description of Korean history and the historical contexts surrounding the Korean Peninsula, I believe it offers a timely reflection on recent developments in Northeast Asian security.                                        

JeongHun Han

Seoul National University, Seoul