Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on the main issues in North and South Korea from differing perspectives. It examines political trends in South Korea in the context of the two Koreas' international position. The book highlights the harvest from Seoul's Nordpolitik policy, pointing to the culmination of long-term efforts to expand contacts with former communist countries and China, and to join the United Nations. It describes the changing balance of US-South Korea military relations as the United States moves from a leading to a supporting role in Korean defense, covering changes in command relationships and plans for future defense of the peninsula. The book concludes with an assessment of how the situation has changed since 1987, pointing to the maturing of the information business and new opportunities for a more responsible South Korean press.