This book presents a comprehensive overview of international attempts to engage North Korea diplomatically with the aim of avoiding a nuclear war.

It highlights the difficulty of this task, concluding that the containment of North Korea currently depends more on military deterrence than on diplomatic restraint. It considers the various multilateral attempts at diplomatic engagement over recent decades and explores the different approaches of different countries, examining the domestic factors and the strategic interests which drive different countries' different approaches. It includes an account of China's growing estrangement, Russia's increasing closeness, and the surprising relationship between North Korea and Sweden which has been effective in providing the North Korean people with humanitarian aid.

Revealing the story of diplomatic frustrations and failures when engaging North Korea, this book will appeal to students and scholars of Korean studies, Asian politics, and international relations.

About the Author

Lam Peng Er is Head of the Korea Centre and Principal Research Fellow of the East Asian Institute (EAI) at the National University of Singapore, Singapore.

Reviews

"With North Korea sending soldiers to support Russia and with tensions on the Korean Peninsula at a new high, the search is on for fresh ways to deal with the hermit kingdom. Engaging North Korea is essential reading for diplomats and security specialists, especially those handling Northeast Asia and Russia's war on Ukraine."

Robert Wihtol, adjunct faculty member at the Asian Institute of Management, realcleardefense.com

Book Information
ISBN 9781032819167
Author Lam Peng Er
Format Hardback
Page Count 280
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 600g