Promotional Information

"I heartily commend Jacques' work. His book could not be more timely in the wake of North Korea's recent nuclear weapons test. Jacques' well researched book should be must reading for the Bush administration as well as for serious students who have heard a lot about the North Korean situation but have had little opportunity to examine the facts on the ground." -- Thomas C. Hubbard, former U.S. Ambassador and veteran negotiator to the Republic of Korea "Mr. Fuqua's work is not another recitation of the conventional wisdom about North Korea, often found in mainstream media. His unique book explains the reasons for current North Korean diplomatic and military issues and suggests what might be done to resolve these concerns." -- John M. Frank, Educator and Outreach Curriculum Consultant, Indiana "This book provides a long overdue, fresh look at a very old problem. Jacques' analysis and explanation of the juche ideology is one of the best in publication today, and correctly assess and aptly explains that any successful negotiation with North Korea will depend heavily on our understanding of how North Korea perceives the world through the juche philosophy. His prescription for resolving the North Korean nuclear dilemma is both tough and practical, and if implemented, could substantially move the U.S. forward in resolving our security concerns with this reclusive communist state. A must read for policy makers at all levels of government and for any student of northeast Asia security strategy." -- Mark Franklin, Colonel, U.S. Army

About the Author

Jacques L. Fuqua, Jr., a retired US Army Officer, serves as Director of International Engagement at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). He has authored numerous journal and newspaper articles on Korean peninsula and U.S.-Japanese security issues and has participated in various television and radio interviews discussing the North Korean nuclear issue. He researches and teaches courses on East Asian security and the diplomatic/security history of Korea. Prior to his current posting, Fuqua served as Associate Director of the East Asian Studies Center at Indiana University (Bloomington). He retired from the U.S. Army in February 2000 as a Lieutenant Colonel (Northeast Asia Foreign Area Officer) after 21 years of active duty service.

Reviews

This excellent book provides a timely critique of US policy toward North Korea arguing for a broader, long-term approach to engage the Kim Jong Il regime in the area in which it is more vulnerable: the economy. Fuqua is skeptical about the prospects for successfully implementing the February 2007 Denuclearization Action Plan (DAP) signed in Beijing as part of the Six Party Talks. He argues that survival is North Korea's paramount goal and that it will not easily give up its only geopolitical playing card--the possession of nuclear weapons. The book does a superb job of placing the problem of North Korea's nuclear program within the broader historical, cultural, and idiosyncratic context in which it takes place. The author explains how important the political philosophy of Juche (self-reliance) is in order to understand North Korea's often unpredictable behavior. The author favors a policy of constructive engagement, promoting greater dependence on economic and financial inputs from the West and providing confidence-building measures that will ultimately facilitate North Korea's soft landing when reunification with South Korea occurs. If implemented, the book's policy recommendations would guarantee the long-term denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate students, graduate students, and research faculty.
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