What Comes First, Denuclearization or Peace? Using Willy Brandt's Ostpolitik as a Case for an Integrative Engagement Approach on the Korean Peninsula

The Korean peninsula is witnessing historic events and a dramatic improvement in relations between the two Koreas and their allies. However, there must be caution not only over the true intentions of all actors involved, but also the approach taken to the renewed relations must be carefully considered. In the past engagement policies have been tried and failed, whilst the US has committed itself firmly to a pre-condition that the DPRK foregoes its nuclear weapons program and denuclearizes. This paper argues that the US policy is flawed in that the demand of CVID does not create any spillovers for future relations to be bound by, as shown by the 1994 Agreed Framework. As such, an engagement policy should be employed that follows characteristics of West Germany’s Ostpolitik in the 1970s and Kim Daejung’s Sunshine Policy.