North Korea: Back to the Future is No Solution

Recalling the 75th anniversary of the Korean War and its implications for global security, the paper contrasts the peaceful international relations within the EU with the reliance on military force in East Asia. Based on the comprehensive relationship between South Korea and the EU, security cooperation has also increased in terms of hardware (arms sales). It could be intensified to meet the challenges posed for securing supply chains and global trade policy. The paper addresses the geopolitical dynamics involving North Korea, Russia, and China, analysing the impact of these new strategic alliances and military cooperation that have emerged. While denuclearisation should remain the long-term goal, there is a need to rethink traditional policies towards North Korea, considering technological advances, lessening of legal constraints, upending of the goal of unification by the North and the negative examples of powers having abandoned nuclear arms. ‘Back to the Future’ in applying traditional tools and instruments is no longer an option –neither for South Korea, nor the European Union. “Forward to the Past”, learning from history but adapting those lessons to new realities rather than simply repeating old patterns, must be the new direction. To preserve some influence outside the US-China-Russia triangle and in recognition that there is only one security, the EU needs to strengthen its engagement in East Asia, based on its comprehensive security approach. This could include nominating an EU Special Representative for Northeast Asia to contribute to trust-building, reopening of lines of communication and bringing diplomacy back to prevent the flare-up of another hot spot.