North Korea, South Korea: U.S. Policy and the Korean Peninsula

(Paperback)

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Short and accessible, North Korea, South Korea offers a comprehensive outline of the history and political complexities of the Korean peninsula, explaining in detail why the U.S. currently stands on the brink of nuclear war. Putting the current political tensions in context through an exploration of the history of American policy towards Korea as well as the conflict between the communist North and capitalist South, this book offers concrete proposals for U.S. policies that could help reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula and bring an end to the last cold war.

Reviews

"Northeast Asia is the world's most dynamic economy, with rapidly developing industry, high technology, rich resources, and half the world's foreign exchange reserves. South Korea's social and political achievements are no less remarkable than its spectacular economic growth. Peaceful integration of North Korea into the region, along with desperately needed internal changes, are essential for further progress. The alternative could be military confrontation with frightful consequences. The tasks ahead are not easy ones, but they are feasible. The U.S. role will surely be critical, and it is of the utmost importance for Americans to understand the issues, their background, and the prospects. John Feffer provides a deeply informed and lucid account of all these matters, full of insight, pointing the way to constructive solutions that are within our grasp. Noam Chomsky


[A] lucid, hard-hitting overview. Selig Harrison, The Nation


"A masterful, informative, eminently accessible look at the Korean crisis; especially valuable is John Feffer's discussion of what animates North Korea's stance vis-a-vis the US. Feffer's elucidation of the historical forces and social attitudes that have shaped Kim Jong Il's regime shows that far from being irrational or psychotic, Kim's actions have a logical consistency grounded in a well-founded mistrust of US intentions and agendas. I highly recommend this book. C.S. Soong, host of Living Room, KPFA (Pacifica) Radio in Berkeley, Ca.

"Feffer's analysis is the most reliable, balanced report available on the Korean 'threat.'Chalmers Johnson, author of Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire

Author Bio

JOHN FEFFER'S books include Beyond Detente: Soviet Foreign Policy and U.S. Options, Shock Waves: Eastern Europe After the Revolutions, Living in Hope: Communities Respond to Globalization, and Power Trip: U.S. Unilateralism and Global Strategy after September 11. From 1998 to 2001, Feffer lived in Tokyo and traveled throughout East Asia, making more than twenty trips to South Korea and three trips to North Korea. He lives in the Washington, D.C., area.