SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This thesis examines the peacemaking effects of aid on the Korean Peninsula (i.e. the more that aid is provided, the more peace is created). This thesis poses two main questions: i) what effect does South Korea’s aid to North Korea have on peace on the Korean Peninsula, and ii) if the peacemaking effects of aid is limited, why is it so? The relationship between aid and peace was chosen as a research subject because no previous studies exist that have tried to verify the relationship between aid to the North and the North Korean nuclear issue—which are two main issues of controversy. This study is significant in three aspects. First, this research confirmed the effectiveness of aid as a means to promote peace. This implies that aid may serve as an incentive for North Korea to move towards and choose cooperation. This further implies that South Korea’s engagement with North Korea contributes to the promotion of peace on the Korean Peninsula. Second, this research identified factors that restrict the influence (leverage) of aid. South Korea’s policy towards North Korea has been designed to expand the South’s leverage against the North Korean regime. However, that policy has sometimes failed to meet its purpose due to North Korea’s strategic reaction and political and economic characteristics. Third, this research confirmed the significance of inter-Korean interaction on the peacemaking effects of aid. South Korea’s aid to North Korea is a type of trade-off that works in both ways and generates benefits to both sides rather than unilateral dispensation. South Korea provides aid for the political purpose of inducing cooperation from North Korea (peace) while North Korea works with South Korea for the economic purpose of receiving aid.