As the 21st century opens, the explosive situation in the Korean Peninsula seems poised to upset peace and security in NE Asia and the rest of the world. This study explores the political, economic and military fragility of the two Koreas, analyzing the causes of this persistant Cold War.

As Korea enters a hopeful new chapter in its history, this timely book, with contributions by distinguished experts in the field, addresses the fragility of the political, economic, and military balance within the two Koreas and in Northeast Asia. It provides in-depth analysis of the principal factors that gave rise to the persisting Cold War on the Korean peninsula, and successfully unravels many aspects of the complicated domestic and economic dynamics of the two Koreas, the patterns of relationship between the two rival states, as well as their changing relationships with the United States and other major powers.