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In this work, three former US officials who played key roles in the 1994 crisis trace the intense efforts that led North Korea to freeze - and pledge to ultimately dismantle - its dangerous plutonium production programme, while avoiding a second Korean War

While foreign policy and security concerns have trumped past efforts to reform the North Korean economy, Pyongyang is implementing important economic reforms despite renewed tensions with the United States. This is in response to a leadership debate - between 'reformers' and 'conservatives' over whether Pyongyang's military industrial complex should be scaled back to help ensure the success of reforms - that is fundamentally transforming the country. The direction of these developments reflects strong pro-reform forces in the leadership and could have profound implications for the future of national security policy. Pyongyang may decide that a more favourable external security environment is key to securing access to international assistance for its reform measures and, ultimately, downsizing its military. It could launch a policy of engagement that would include greater flexibility in the Beijing Six Party Talks. But internal struggle over reform could lead to indecision on security and foreign policy issues, including at the nuclear talks. Progress in reform may, paradoxically, strengthen conservatives, fuelling hopes in Pyongyang that the economy can be improved while maintaining a large, powerful military. Whether Washington can influence the debate is unclear, but a US policy of engagement could enhance the chances of success for North Korean advocates of reform.

"February 2007." ; Caption title. ; Introduction -- An evolution of views? -- China's North Korea dilemma -- Limits of Six-Party Talks and Chinese diplomacy -- Possible instability in North Korea -- Implications for policy -- Conclusion and recommendations. ; Mode of access: Internet.