Gorbachev's Restructuring of Soviet Foreign Policy and Its Impact on the Korean Peninsula

Abstract

Western skeptics have doubted the prospect of any real change in Soviet foreign policy under Gorbachev. However, the recent statements by Gorbachev and his people, and the actual Soviet behavior show the emergent "new" thinking to deal with the international problems. Gorbachev's departure from the past consists of two dimensions. The first dimension is a shift from the militarist to the political approach. The past policy is criticized for its tendency to solve the international problems by military means, not exhausting opportunities for political settlement. The rationale behind this shift is the need to make Soviet foreign policy cheaper. The militarist approach made the Soviet Union seek military parity with the West. This caused an enormous burden. As a Soviet academician aptly points out: