Abstract
This paper analyzes whether recent developments represent new tactics or a fundamental strategic change in inter-Korean relations and raises questions about implications for the future shape of US and regional policy toward the Korean peninsula. Among the questions that may determine the future outlines of US policy in Korea and East Asia in a new US administration are: (1) Will a new US leadership accept South Korea in the lead? (2) Can a coordinated approach to North Korea (the main achievement of the Perry process) be sustained and can that process be used to expand cooperative engagement with North Korea? (3) Will the United States and South Korea be able to agree on fundamental values and interests that can sustain the security relationship and affirm US engagement in Northeast Asia in a post-North Korean threat environment?
The paper argues that responding to post-summit developments will require deep and careful thinking by American policy makers, and it may require the skills of not only an engineer but also an architect to design a new vision rather than simply trying to repair old, familiar structures. The United States should welcome the opportunity created by the summit and support the consolidation of an inter-Korean peace process without reservations since there is nothing inherent in the process itself that can severely threaten US interests and much that may be of direct benefit to US values and objectives.