CAPP Events: 2003

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KNDU Representatives Discuss Peninsula Crisis with RAND Analysts

On October 13, 2003, RAND welcomed a large delegation of professors and students from Korea’s National Defense University (KNDU). Bruce Bennett chaired the session, and RAND staff members Derek Eaton, Ted Harshberger, Nina Hachigian, Eric Larson, Somi Seong, Charles Wolf, and Benjamin Zycher attended.

The group discussed the state of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. They agreed that whether or not the North has zero or many nuclear weapons, the situation on the peninsula is potentially very dangerous. The group also discussed the six-party talks that recently took place in Beijing and the prospect of further such talks in December.

In addition, RAND staff and KNDU representatives debated whether there is an ultimate solution to the North’s WMD program or whether the U.S. and its allies’ demands are fundamentally at odds with actions the North Korean regime would be willing to take.

The KNDU representatives also pointed out the generational and political split in South Korea over views toward the North, with younger, more liberal factions wanting to cultivate a warm relationship with the North, and the older generation and more conservative elements viewing the North as a dire threat.