Accession Number:

ADA581123

Title:

U.S.-China Partnership: Building Regional Synergy for Stability and Security of the Korean Peninsula

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIV NORFOLK VA JOINT ADVANCED WARFIGHTING SCHOOL

Personal Author(s):

• San Nicolas, Jr, Eduardo C.

Report Date:

2013-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

110.0

Abstract:

In the 60 years since the signing of the 1953 Korean War Armistice, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea DPRK has shown extraordinary resiliency. With the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, DPRK saw its financial support and economic aid from a major ally dissolve, leaving its antiquated central economic planning system in a precarious state with an outdated infrastructure and almost nonexistent industrial base. The DPRK found itself desperate for assistance to maintain the regimes control, stave off a potential economic collapse, and feed the millions of famished North Koreans suffering from severe malnutrition. Today, North Korea remains the last vestige of the Cold War. Between 1998 and 2013, North Korea detonated nuclear explosive devices, tested ballistic missiles, and developed a uranium enrichment program for the purpose of nuclear weapons proliferation. Subsequent economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council have adversely affected North Koreas economy and its people. Despite exhaustive diplomatic efforts by the United States, South Korea, and the other Six Party Talk members, North Korea has failed to become a more responsible member of the international community. The United States, as a global power, in concert with China, as an emerging regional power, possess great political and economic influence in the international community. Chinas continued participation in the free market and economic globalization have made it an important player in Northeast Asian Affairs and also internationally. Coupled with the United States rebalancing effort in the Asia-Pacific Region, both countries are at a critical crossroads in which the North Korean issue must finally be resolved. The United States and China must forge a unique partnership of necessity to restructure the Six Party Talk forum to effectively address North Koreas nuclear weapons and economic well-being.

Descriptors:

• *CHINA
• *COOPERATION
• *INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
• *NORTH KOREA
• *SECURITY
• *STABILITY
• *UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
• ECONOMIC SANCTIONS
• GOVERNMENT(FOREIGN)
• GUIDED MISSILES
• HISTORY
• KOREAN WAR
• NUCLEAR EXPLOSION TESTING
• NUCLEAR WEAPONS
• REACTOR FUEL ENRICHMENT
• SOUTH KOREA
• STARVATION
• THESES
• THREATS

Subject Categories:

• Economics and Cost Analysis
• Government and Political Science
• Nuclear Weapons

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE