Korean Unification: A Pandora’s Box of Northeast Asia?

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Abstract
In recent years, the concern about North Korea’s nuclear weapons potential has dominated the discussion of peace and security in Northeast Asia. However, in the long run, the more interesting topic may be how the reunification of Korea will affect the stability of that region. Given the glacial pace of reforms in North Korea, the possibility of North Korean collapse and the subsequent reunification of the Korean peninsula under South Korean terms is very real. Such an outcome could trigger a wholesale restructuring of security relations among major powers that have vital interests in the region. Indeed, the reemergence of united Korea could prove disruptive and force a fundamental realignment of power throughout the Asia Pacific as reunified Korea pursues various options (including nuclear armed-neutrality) to ensure its survival. Though the continuing economic integration of the region and various cooperative security measures may mitigate conflict, Korean reunification can only complicate the management of emerging multipolarity in that part of the world.