Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation for North Korean Development: Future Challenges and Prospects

Though the North Korean nuclear issue has resurfaced— subsequently restraining inter-Korean cooperation—this impasse has not fettered the South Korean government in such a way that it cannot maneuver to improve the ROK-DPRK relationship. Seoul must take small steps to solve individual problems in the North-South relationship, and methodically prepare for systematic advances in inter-Korean relations once the nuclear impasse is settled. Furthermore, Seoul must focus on both quantitative and qualitative improvements in the inter-Korean relationship, look more at economic cooperation that emphasizes mid-to long-term development of North Korea, and concentrate on developing a blueprint for the North’s recovery that acknowledges greater involvement from regional actors. This article sets out to find that new direction in which South Korea must proceed.