ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses the Republic of Korea (ROK)'s current policy initiatives toward the North in the context of the conceptual discussion. The Initiative stated that the ROK sought to reduce tensions with the North and seek a peaceful path to unification. To its credit, the Peace and Cooperation Initiative represents a step forward in ROK policy. In a similar vein, the 1991 Basic Agreement and Nordpolitik, while appearing to be evidence of a transformation in the ROK's Cold War thinking, still reflect a continued adherence to zero-sum mentalities. ROK rhetoric toward the North, while it bespeaks of liberal engagement, still reflects strategic mindsets rooted in zero-sum thinking and power-fixated perceptions. Engagement forces the ROK to think more proactively about unification. US policy toward North Korea exhibits many of the traits of a genuine engagement strategy. Engagement is inherently a long-term policy. Significant efforts must be made to overcome cognitive rigidities, cultivate reciprocity, and elicit cooperation.
