한국과 미국의 대북정책 비교 : 2017년 5월부터 12월을 중심으로

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to present the realistic dilemma facing the Moon Jae-in administration that were aiming at pursuing both Korea-US alliance and cooperation with the North Korea, by analyzing the North Korean policies and the Korea-US relationship under the Moon administration during May 2017～December 2017. Specifically, comparing the different stances of the South Korea and the United States surrounding the contents of the alliance dealing with the North Korean nuclear issues and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense(THAAD). It also revisits how the means to denuclearize the North have their limits in realistic terms and what the conditions on the resumption of dialogue for the related discussions. This paper reveals that the approach taken by the Moon administration regarding Pyongyang is similar to that of China, and that the Korea-US alliance is likely to weaken should there be any change concerning the North Korean nuclear issue. Thus, change in the issue in any direction will have possibility lead to a weaker alliance with the US. If the issue enters into a condition right for dialogue, as recently as, the US’ stance will likely be, in the long term, neutral. In addition, should the issue become one that urges a solution for peaceful regime on the Korean Peninsula, then it will need go beyond solving the nuclear issue itself to form a security community in the Northeast Asia as a whole.