Cooperation Amid Strategic Dilemma

  • Video Commentary
  • June 01, 2023
  • Wei OUYANG
  • Senior Research Fellow, Grandview Institution
Theme
Security and External Relations
Keywords
#Cooperation #Nuclear Safety #Nuclear Security #Denuclearization #Regional Stability #New Cold War
Editor’s Note

Ouyang Wei, a Senior Research Fellow at the Grandview Institution, discusses the ways in which ROK, China, and the U.S. can cooperate and overcome security dilemma on the Korean Peninsula based on shared interests. Ouyang assesses that because Northeast Asian countries and the U.S. still collectively support the denuclearization of North Korea, nuclear safety, related environmental issues, DPRK humanitarian assistance and more, the relevant stakeholders must resume multilateral dialogues like the Six-Party Talks.

※︎ This content is an excerpt from the second session of the Global NK International Conference held on May 10, 2023. The session was titled, "Building a Future Order of the Korean Peninsula: Strategic Communication, Extended Deterrence, and Cooperation for Nuclear Non-proliferation."

 

I. Does common interest among stakeholders still exist on the Korean Peninsula?

 

• China-U.S. competition is intensifying while DPRK continues its weapon development, and ROK’s DPRK policy is becoming more hardline under the Yoon administration. However, basis and principles for cooperation among the relevant countries in the Korean Peninsula still exist.

 

• Regional order on the Korean Peninsula is less likely to turn into a “new Cold War,” since relevant countries still share the common interest of nuclear safety, security, and stability.

 

II. How can Northeast Asia enhance regional stability and prosperity?

 

• Stakeholders of the Peninsula still have a space to seek cooperation. Great power competition does not mean confrontation in all fields.

 

• Nuclear safety, security, avoiding nuclear war, regional stability, and nuclear-related environmental issues are some shared interests and potential areas of China-U.S.-ROK cooperation.

 

III. What are some areas of cooperation between China, U.S., and ROK?

 

• Multilateral approaches like the Six-Party Talks have often been suspended, but the basic rules and principles are not outdated. Any possible bilateral or multilateral dialogues to promote denuclearization, security, and stability can be meaningful.

 

※ Please cite accordingly when referencing this source.

 


 

OUYANG Wei is a Senior Research Fellow, Vice-Director of Academic Committee at Grandview Institution, and the Director of the Center for Chinese Borderland Securities.

 


 

Typeset by Jisoo Park, Research Associate
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