D.P.R. of Korea security issue: P.R. of China’s model of Special Economic Zones as an alternative to Six Party Talks?

D.P.R. of Korea security issue: P.R. of China’s model of Special Economic Zones as an alternative to Six Party Talks? Andrej Agacevic A.Y. 2012 – Master in International Relations 1 Introduction In the past decades, China has demonstrated, over and over, how it is possible to pursue development and growth, with “peaceful rise” and the philosophy of “harmonious world”. Special Economic Zones and bilateral relations have played a crucial role in this development. As for the North Korea, with its stagnant economy, hampered by a “military first” ideology, it has brought nothing but trouble to the region and to the country itself. Arguing that so far, the negotiations that evolved in Six Party Talks were highly inefficient in bringing any kind of concrete or permanent solution to North Korea’s aggressive defensive policy, I wish to point out how more was achieved through bilateral talks between Pyongyang and some of the participants. All the participants seem to have personal agendas that in some cases even clash with those of other participants, rendering pointless collective talks or efforts. China is a world leader and an important presence in the region. Although it could seem that just recently has China started to acknowledge its role and has taken on responsibilities towards countries that look up to her, I argue that it is just takes a thoughtful shift in focus of countries involved in the talks, and China is up to the task. By focusing their efforts in Foreign Policy onto bilateral talks, much more could be accomplished in North Korea’s case, especially by China, given its geopolitical importance and the rich and meaningful experience in the implementation and control of the Special Economic Zones that could be of vital importance for the opening, development, stabilisation and future progress of Pyongyang The importance of this study is as clear as it is simple. It plainly points out to something that is already there, but that somehow all the participants in the talks ignore, or pretend to do so. Is it because of pride, prejudice and unwillingness to acknowledge China’s role, its development and Foreign Policy as a Key Solution to one of the problems that has been on top of five leading countries agenda’s for decades? It is a question that will not be answered here. But if a question is, how do we find a solution to the Six Party Talks, then the answer is in here and, ultimately, it lies in China’s hands.