This comprehensive book explains that while world politics has entered the post-Cold War era since the late 1980s, the Korean peninsula has not. Diplomatic relations have yet to be established between North Korea, the US and Japan, while conventional military confrontation has persisted. Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme has further increased tensions and the possibility of war has frequently been considered.In this rigorously theoretical work, the author analyses the tension on the peninsula through three very different perspectives: the security dilemma and misperceptions; domestic politics and ideology; and the influence of external actors. Recognizing that existing explanations do not take full account of the multi-dimensional character of Korean security problems, efforts are made in this book to understand how various interrelated factors are at work, and which of them matter most under different conditions. This book provides an invaluable and balanced understanding of the complex nature of post-Cold War security problems on the peninsula.

Academics, researchers and post-graduate students interested in issues pertaining to security on the Korean peninsula, and on US policy towards North Korea will find much to engage them within this book, as will those interested in politics and international relations more generally. The in-depth analyses of current issues of interest and their policy implications will also appeal to policymakers.