남북관계 비대칭적 분단국체제론

Abstract

This paper aims at conceptualizing contemporary inter-Korean relations by focusing on the idea of a special relationship constituted temporarily in the process of unification which was expressed in the 1992 Agreement on Reconciliation, Non-aggression, and Exchanges and Cooperation Between South and North Korea (The Basic Agreement). The idea was designed to accommodate the contradictory conditions that exist between the two Koreas – two different political communities with hostile ideologies and institutions – while they try to achieve unification. The definition of special relationship constituted temporarily in the process of unification has been used as a basic principle to manage inter-Korean relations during the last decade. It has allowed the political flexibility which was necessary to find a contact point somewhere between the hostile conditions and nationalistic hope. Thus, understanding the contradictions between political community and cultural nationality is very important in theory as well as in practice. This paper, however argues that a social dimension needs to be added in explaining the special requirements of inter-Korean relations. Aside from the political and national realms, the social realm consisting of the diverse activities of voluntary associations, such as NGOs and corporations, should be considered. Over the last decade the social dimension has developed sufficiently to constitute a special relationship that can exist separately from the political bargaining and national homogeneity. To understand the complex relations between South and North Korea, this paper suggests the concept of the asymmetrical divided-state system. The idea of a divided state can explain the contradictory conditions that exist within the temporary states of the two Koreas. The word system is needed to explain the international context in which multilateral influences are exerted upon the two Koreas under the current armistice regime. Finally, the world asymmetrical conceptualizes the difference and diversity between the two Koreas social aspects like economy and civil participation. In summary, the new concept of the asymmetrical divided-state system is a useful construct to capture the complex and specific nature of inter-Korean relations.