Review by Choice Review
Ten Asian specialists examine the future of North Korea in the context of peninsular and regional politics. Central to their analysis is the prospect of North Korean neutrality as a means of survival for North Korea or to facilitate union with South Korea. While each of the contributors delineates specific circumstances under which North Korean neutrality might be a positive development, nearly all conclude that the prospect of this set of circumstances is remote. This remoteness is to no small extent a reflection of the competition of the Americans, Chinese, Japanese, and Russians for influence on the Korean Peninsula. Each of the contributors also plays down the prospect of the sudden collapse of North Korea. They hold that such a scenario underestimates the staying power of the North Korean government and the willingness of the major powers to prop up the North Korean government rather than face the uncertainty of the concurrent conflict likely to erupt on the peninsula. Thus the analysis supports a scenario in which North Korea gradually develops a more transparent political system, diverse economic structure, and collaborative foreign policy. Advanced undergraduates and graduate students of Asian politics and international relations will find this a valuable resource. J. M. Peek Lyon College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
