ABSTRACT
The end of the Cold War was clearly a turning point in the balance of power on the Korean peninsula. North Korea is facing a severe economic crisis that is undoubtedly undermining the uncertain leadership of Kim Jong Il. In 1987, the juche Academy of Science was established to protect, develop, and promote Kim Il Sung's juche system. The government of Kim Jong Il seeks its survival and unification of the Korean peninsula on Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) terms. To achieve unification on its terms, Pyongyang needs a separate peace treaty with Washington, a normalization of DPRK US diplomatic relations, and the withdrawal of US troops from the South. Both Pyongyang and Seoul have domestic problems, although of very different magnitudes, and are focused on priorities other than unification. Pyongyang continues to believe that the US-Republic of Korea relationship can be destroyed and that both Washington and Seoul can be intimidated through continuing cycles of brinkmanship.
