Dynamics of change in North Korea and Northeast Asia since the end of the Cold War

Conveners: Camilla T. N. Sørensen, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Political Science, and Geir Helgesen, Director, NIAS - Nordic Institute of Asian Studies

North Korea is probably the most isolated and secretive state in the world; and there are many stories and myths about North Korea. It is intriguing how North Korea despite its considerable disadvantages in term of conventional measurement of state power continuously manages to play a key role in regional politics and security.

This one-day workshop aims to improve the knowledge about the cultural, social, economic and political system in North Korea - the links between the state, the military and the society in North Korea - as well as the ideology and security outlook or perceptions of the North Korean regime. Furthermore the aim is to place North Korea and the Korean Peninsula in the context of developments in Northeast Asia exploring and assessing the prospects for reforms in North Korea, for integrating North Korea in regional developments, and for developing a multilateral mechanism in Northeast Asia that includes North Korea. Generally speaking, Northeast Asia is characterised by growing security tension, military modernisation and nationalism, but also by growing economic interdependence and cooperation. Such developments in Northeast Asia create both new opportunities and new problems for the North Korean regime.