The debate in South Korea over the government's engagement policy toward North Korea (the so-called "sunshine" policy) did not start with Pyongyang's recent admission that it has been secretly pursuing a nuclear weapons program in violation of multiple international commitments. However, the evolution of the debate will be an important determinant of how the South Korean and broader international response to this latest North Korean challenge ultimately ends. Examining the public South Korean debate over dealings with North Korea, this book reviews the relevant historical background, focusing on the evolution of "engagement" as the goal of South Korean policy toward the North. It examines the critical assumptions and central concepts motivating the new policy adopted by President Kim after his inauguration and analyzes the key issues in the public debate over this new policy. It also identifies the major actors and describes their respective positions on the government's approach to North Korea, as well as how these actors have affected public debate over government policy. The book concludes by assessing the sources of public controversy existing today, the likely short-term effects on South Korean policy, and the potential longer-term implications for South Korea, the United States, and U.S.-South Korean relations.

"MR-1555-CAPP"--Page 4 of cover. "MR-1555-CAPP"--P. [4] of cover.

The Historical Setting --The Evolution of Engagement -- The Emergence of Debate -- The Sunshine Policy: Principles and Main Activities -- The Public Debate: Issues and Underlying Divisions -- Central Issues -- Substantive Components -- Operational Characteristics -- Motivating Assumptions -- Specific Issues -- Core Components -- Internal Dynamics: The Actors -- The Government -- The Parties -- The Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) -- The Grand National Party (GNP) -- The United Liberal Democrats (ULD) -- The Military -- The Media -- Chosun Ilbo -- Donga Ilbo -- JoongAng Ilbo -- Hankyoreh Sinmun -- Civic Groups and Nongovernmental Organizations -- Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation (KCRC) -- Citizen's Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ) -- People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) -- Anti-U.S. and Anti-U.S. Military Base NGOs -- Labor Groups -- National Congress of Freedom and Democracy (NCFD) -- Korean Freedom League (KFL) -- Korean Veterans Association (KVA) -- The Private Sector -- Public Opinion -- Environmental Mapping: A Notional Matrix -- Internal Dynamics: The Process -- Spring (February 1998 to January 2000) -- Summer (January 2000 to June 2000) -- Fall (June 2000 to January 2001) -- Winter (January 2001 to October 2002).