ABSTRACT
North Koreans remained in the closed world of the traditional, feudal 'hermit kingdom' as Korea was once known. Rex Tillerson, the US Secretary of State, confirmed that a military option of dealing with North Korea is possible if Kim Jong-un elevates his threat of attacking South Korea and the US or its territories with nuclear weapons. Kim Il-sung was elected president of North Korea in 1972, a post held until his death on 8 July 1994, to be succeeded by his son Kim Jong-Il continuing the family military-dictator regime. The Republic of Korea (ROK)-initiated goodwill actions in terms of economic assistance, shipping goods to North Korea, the Diamond Mountain ROK tourist tour and the establishment of the Kaesong industrial park with ROK money were all considered concessions by North Korea. The Park Geun-hye trust-building programme has been reduced to dust and it is unclear how the new President Moon Jae-in will deal with this incendiary situation.
