The article does not rely on substantive evidence but rather adopts an audio and video clips to support its narrative. While the narrative portrayed in the video and the sub-sequent transcript is consistent with the weakly lecture (W02L01) and the supporting readings-chapter 9: Why is South Korea not North Korea and Tyranny of the weak (Armstrong, 2013)- North Korea and the world (1950-1992). The evidence was provided in the form of collage of video clips edited to support the narrative. Since the video evidence is provided which is one of the most reliable form, it can be said that information provided is credible. However, with the advancement of editing tactics, it is difficult to outline the percentage of truth and the percentage of clever editing. However, taking evidence from academic literature (Cumings, 2013), it can be deduced that the information provided in the video and transcript is in accordance with the academic consensus. 

            The political position that the news organization “Sky news” took in this article is in accordance with the popular opinion on the present worsening situations in North Korea. In political position is evident from the words in the video (and transcript) such as “economic basket case” and “police state” to refer to North Korea. There are claims made about the degrading social, political and economic situations in North Korea without any substantial evidence backing the claims along with possibility of any future steps to better the situation (Hastings, 2010). It would be unwise for news organizations to back the presently held belief without any evidence (in this case on North Korea’s worsening situation). 
REFERENCES:
1.      Armstrong, C. (2013). Tyranny of the weak. Cornell University.

2.      Clemens, W. (2013). Complexity Science and World Affairs. State University of New York Press.

3.      Cumings, B. (2013). The korean war. New York: Modern Library.

4.      Hastings, M. (2010). The Korean War. London: Pan Books.

5.      Marshall, T. (2013). Korea: A History of The North-South Split. [online] Sky News. Available at: https://news.sky.com/story/korea-a-history-of-the-north-south-split-10449691 [Accessed 27 Mar. 2019].

            The content of this television drama series and its importance in popular culture lies in the objective approach that was based on extensive research on news reports, documents and supreme court rulings covering the period from Park Chung-hee’s assassination to handing over the power to Roh Tae-woo by Chun Doo-hwan. Some of the important political movements such as Gwangju Uprising in the year 1980 (Jean, 2010) are captured along with the brutal suppressing of uprising. The drama series captures the change to conservative democratization from above from the previously held radical democratization from below. This period was important as it helped South Korean developmental regime while focusing on the political aspects that led the way for transformation to democracy. 

The stylistic elements that the show showcases can be attributed to the accurate depiction of situations during the period 1979 to 1988 through effectively dramatized episode that are backed by clever screenplay. This included blending the original footage that was available with the story line to give authenticity to the TV show. 

The effect of this TV series can be outlined as an influencing one as it focused on bringing the facts behind one of the most important aspect of South Korean History with accuracy and objectivity. This TV series effectively outlines the socio-economic background for the Gwangju uprising along with evaluating the situations in South Korea that paved way for democracy (Kim, 2010). 

By bringing incidents such as financial scandals, Rangoon bombing, Geumgang Dam, killing of Park Jong-chul, and the subsequent declaration of democratic change on June 29, the Television show focused on displaying important aspects in the South Korean History while maintaining objectivity in its depiction as it was important to maintain distance from political pressures and attempts to halt the drama in its pre-production stage. Further, it can be outlined that the periodic drama was successfully in handling multiple threatened legal actions in brining out an effectively dramatized version of important events in the situations leading to first steps of democratization in South Korea. Finally, the drama series has found success in communicating its message of providing an overview of important incidents, events, and decisions leading to democratization of South Korea. REFERENCES:
1.      Cho, H., Surendra, L., & Cho, H. (2013). Contemporary South Korean society (pp. 7-8). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

2.      Jean, A. (2010). The Socio-Economic Background of the Gwangju Uprising.

3.      Kim, D. (2010). The Struggle between Security and Democracy: An Alternative Explanation of the Democratization of South Korea. Pacific Focus, 25(1), 89-111. doi: 10.1111/j.1976-5118.2010.01035.x

One wonders how the “Byungjin policy” launched by Kim Jong Un on March 2013 has impacted the 360-degree development approach especially with respect to its two main pillars of economic development and nuclear program (Han & Joo, 2014). The nuclear program is seen a lot of development in five years since the launch of Byungjin policy but not much can be said about the economic development. This is mainly due to international sanctions that has led to DPRK’s economic isolation. Considering all the facts, I think the outcome of the Byungjin policy cannot be seen in terms of developmental statistics but a change in attention towards economic development on the domestic front. 

Further, the “new strategic line” that was announced shortly before Trump-Kim Hanoi summit plays an important role in future economic development of North Korea (chul & hyung, 2019). This has created a new hope in achieving the objectives of permanent peace regime by South Korea, denuclearization by United States, and lifting of sanctions along with economic assistance by North Korea (Habib, 2019). The change in attention focusing on economic development was clearly visible as the Hanoi Summit was all about sanctions. With all the hype created and the present US administration friendship approach to open negotiation doors, it was disappointing to see that there was no concrete materialization in any of the economic, denuclearization or stable regime fronts. 

Denuclearization of North Korea did not see any sign of becoming a reality during the Trump-Kim Hanoi summit. This is due to failure in finding a common denominator to work towards achieving economic development while pushing the denuclearization agenda. Further, it was evident that the there was a vast gap in expectations and hopes during the negotiations on both sides (Habib, 2019). I think it would be fair to say that though no concrete output has achieved through Hanoi Summit, the prospects of future discussion provide a glimpse of hope in achieving the goals on economic and denuclearization aspects. 

Overall, the seed of economic development that was sown in the Byungjin Policy are beginning to grow but at a slower pace than anticipated (Whun, 2013). North Korea placing the economic growth as its top priority helped United Status to push for denuclearization in exchange for lifting of International sanctions. There are different sanctioning parties that will have to play important role in these negotiations in future. This is because providing a united front by United States with support from South Korea, Japan, China and United Nations will be the key to achieve the denuclearization and economic development of North Korea. 

REFERENCES: 

1.    chul, K., & hyung, L. (2019). No deal in Hanoi. Retrieved from http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2019/02/103_264606.html 

2.    Habib, e. (2019). Chasing the denuclearisation fantasy: The US-North Korea summit ends abruptly in Hanoi. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/chasing-the-denuclearisation-fantasy-the-us-north-korea-summit-ends-abruptly-in-hanoi-112397 

The comparative reading report provides two perspectives in understanding the reasons nuclear advancements and how nuclear power is utilized by North Korea. According to Jong-Woo and Tae-hern (2015) North Korea’s nuclear advancements are seen extrinsically at the international stage by effectively utilizing its nuclear power as a bargaining chip to get political, diplomatic and economic benefits while Habib (2011) argues that apart from extrinsic value, North Korea has strong intrinsic motivators for retaining and enhancing its nuclear arsenal. 

Both the authors effectively outline the use of Nuclear power to bargain better deals at international level however, Jong-Woo and Tae-hern (2015) argues that viewing its nuclear program solely for negotiation will be careless and hasty as arguments for national security and a view of nuclear threat from US through its nuclear umbrella protection to South Korea and Japan are the driving forces. While Habib (2011) provides in-depth evaluation by placing the importance on “Songun Politics System” in North Korea’s nuclear dreams. The projection of illusion that a powerful self-sustaining defense industry will be key to rejuvenating various fields such as economy and agriculture leading to enhancement of people’s lives played an important role in North Korea nuclear enhancement program. 

One of the important identifications by Jong-Woo and Tae-hern (2015) is the approach to dealing with North Korea by emphasizing on policy of engagement as the only viable option. Lack of North Korea’s ability to detect and intercept nuclear attack along with absence of necessary support structure to protect its weapons places a massive importance on strong action but the concepts of existential and indirect deterrence are the two strong influencers for taking a strong action. The existential deterrence corresponds to possibility of all-out nuclear war whereas indirect deterrence corresponds to direct impact on its bases in US allies (South Korea and Japan) in case of preemptive attack. So, the only viable option is to engage North Korea in talks. 

According to Habib (2011) the nuclear dreams of North Korea have equal influencers in the form of Bureaucratic support and ideological legitimization. The ideology of “Juche” implying national pride has a profound effect on state of mind in Korean Peninsula placing the importance on self-standing rather than self-reliance. The Bureaucratic support manifests itself in Songun politics where high-level bureaucrats have access to scarce materials and these bureaucratic interests lead to nuclear weapons development in North Korea.  

So, Woo and Hern focus on dealing diplomatically at international stage while Habib outlines that placing importance on internal systemic reform will provide more result in denuclearization negotiations. 

REFERENCES:

1.    Habib, B. (2011). North Korea's nuclear weapons programme and the maintenance of theSongunsystem. The Pacific Review, 24(1), pp.43-64.

2.    Jong-Woo, H. and Tae-hern, J. (2015). Understanding North Korea. 13th ed. Lex, pp.213-229

 

2.    Dudden (2005), outlines various factors that has contributed to the annexation of Korea by Japan and the subsequent nationalistic movements leading to many causalities by the Japans military response to the rise of Koreans nationalistic movements. 

3.    The Taft-Katsura agreement of 1905 played a major escalating role in increased Japan’s domination over Korea which was backed by United States in exchange for gaining dominion over the Philippines (Kim, 2009).

4.    Many of the most world-war problems can be directly attributed to the colonization of Korea by Japan (Korean Culture Series & Quick Korean, 2016)

5.    Issues of comfort women, Koreans sent oversees during war time mobilization, loss of citizenship after relocation to Japan, strained diplomatic relations between North and South Korea and mass killings of Koreas abroad form the top problems that were directly created by Japanese colonization of Korea

6.    It can be concluded that the Japanese colonization of Korea is the reason for establishing the preconditions to the division of Korea into North and South adding to the long list of post-world war problems in the Korean Peninsula.

 

REFERENCE:

1.    Dudden, A. (2005). Japan's Colonization of Korea: Discourse and Power (The Studies of the Weather head East Asian Institute). University of Hawaii Press.

2.    Kim, S. (2009). American diplomacy and strategy toward Korea and Northeast Asia, 1882-1950 and after. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

3.    Korean Culture Series & Quick Korean (2016). Japanese colonial policy and its impact on modern Korea. [image] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=-m72sZVGLq4 [Accessed 26 May 2019].

ISSUE AND ITS IMPORTANCE:

Despite various sanctions by United Nations, Pyongyang has been successful in slipping through them making the sanctions less effective. A good example is registration of fraudulently registered ships to illegally obtain oil and coal to meets North Korea’s energy demand (Cohen, 2019). Long it was suspected that China is aiding North Korea in evading these sanctions imposed by UN. The present measure to exempt Dandong-Sinuiju pipeline from the sanctions resulted in criticism that these sanctions are half measures and are not fully implemented. 

The reason provided for exempting this pipeline is technical one outlining if the oil is stopped through the pipeline, then the pipeline will become blocked due to high proportion of wax. Many attempts by Washington to denuclearize North Korea are spoiled by the China which was evident in the recent Hanoi meet creating a geopolitical game that hinders the United States efforts to improve human rights condition by eliminating the nuclear ambitions of North Korea and help it focus on economic growth. 

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS:

The policy recommendation corresponds to implementing full-fledged sanctions to increase the pressure upon North Korea along with weakening the ties between China and North Korea as China is the only United Nations member state that has strong ties with North Korea (90% of North Korea’s exports are accounted for China). This step will be a positive move towards gaining a strong position in negotiations with North Korea. 

REFERENCES:

 

1.    Cohen, A. (2019). North Korea Illegally Trades Oil, Coal, With China's Help. [Online] Forbes.com. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2019/03/21/north-korea-illegally-trades-oil-coal-with-chinas-help/#1234b5e3301a [Accessed 27 May 2019].

2.    Huang, K. (2017). Why China’s oil pipeline to North Korea is excluded from UN sanctions. [online] South China Morning Post. Available at: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2110879/whats-one-big-technical-reason-china-wont-turn-north [Accessed 27 May 2019].

 

The location of Jeonnam and Gwangju, which represented the students and working-class citizens along with negligence due to nonpolitical support has created a situation where in Jeonnam region the decrease in employment was drastic from 86.5% in 1962 to a mere 72.2% in the year 1970 and finally ending at 55.2% in the 1980’s. This has created a situation in which the entire location of Jeonnam area was discriminated especially with economic opportunities having a direct impact on its small and medium-sized enterprise which decreased by 21.6%. This has led to adverse socio-economic situations which has created criticism towards the government by the people (Broadbent and Brockman, 2011). Gwangju being a political center also was characterized by these adverse socio-economic conditions with workers suffering from worst situations leading to displeasure. 

Despite being the most developed city in the Jeonnam area, its annual per capita income was much lower than the national average which has led to the organization of democratic labor unions which eventually converted into the labor disputes in the region of Gwangju. Along with these adverse conditions, Gwangju being the center for administration, economy, and education more students from rural communities were attending various higher educational institutes (Jean, 2003). So, the location of Gwangju helped workers, citizens and citizens come together in a 10-day uprising from May 18 to May 27 in the year 1980. 

So, the location of Gwangju as a center of education, economy and administrative affairs along with dependence upon transportation to various parts of Honam area helped spread the uprising to neighboring cities and many rural communities. Further, this spread of uprising was the main reason for killing of many citizens by Martial Law Army on the outskirts of the Gwangju cities aimed to cut connection between Gwangju and other outlying rural communities and areas. 

REFERENCES:

Broadbent, J. and Brockman, V. (2011). East Asian Social Movements. New York, NY: Springer New York.

Jean, A. (2003). The Socio-Economic Background of the Gwangju Uprising. New Political Science, 25(2), pp.159-176.

 

 

1. China has an unconventional relationship with other countries on international level especially with North Korea. How do you see the future relationships of China with North Korea especially after a setback at UN (with respect to its opposition to list Masood Azar as global terrorist) and please elaborate on the strategic value North Korea has for China? 

2. Further, will the growing trade war between United States and China push China on a backstep in its support to North Korea? 

3. How do you see the relationship between China, United States and North Korea in the future based on the Trump administration steps or missteps?

RESPONSE FROM BEN...

Hi Henry,

Here's my responses to your interview questions...

The Chinese government do not much like the North Koreans, and there are periodic irritations in this relationship, however North Korea has strategic value to China as an important strategic space on China's northeast frontier.  North Korea keeps American forces away from the Chinese border.  North Korea is also a supplier of natural resources to China.  The Chinese government will from time to time remind Pyongyang who the senior partner is, by restricting trade and energy supplies into the North.  However they are unlikely to ever squeeze North Korea so hard that the Kim regime collapses, as this will create chaos along the border and lead to huge refugee flows in to China.

There are times when China appreciates the ability of the North Koreans to soak up the attention of US forces in northeast Asia.  If the US is concentrating military attention on North Korea, that means the US threat to China is reduced.  So with that in mind, a bit of North Korean agitation as the US-China trade war hots up is not such a bad thing for China.

Good luck with your research portfolio!

Best wishes,

Ben

Dr Benjamin HabibLecturer in Politics & International RelationsDepartment of Politics, Media and PhilosophyLa Trobe University | Bundoora VIC 3068 | Ph. +61 3 9479 2338