In North Korea, where “military-first politics" is specified in its constitution, the influence of the military is enormous. Thus it is important to study military negotiations led by the Korean People's Army. This study reviews behaviors and analyz...
In North Korea, where “military-first politics" is specified in its constitution, the influence of the military is enormous. Thus it is important to study military negotiations led by the Korean People's Army. This study reviews behaviors and analyzes the variables that affect the behaviors of North Korea's military negotiations through the 1st-16th UNC-KPA General Officer Talks in which both South Korea and North Korea participated as well as the United States.
Adapting itself to various situations, the North endeavored to achieve its pre-determined negotiation objectives of establishing tripartite dialogue among North Korea, the United States and the Republic of Korea during the talks. Five characteristics of North Korea's military behaviors appeared in almost all the meetings, although the last two characteristics could apply to almost any state: 1) North Korean delegations continuously violated what both sides already agreed upon; 2) they disregarded norms for negotiation without hesitation; 3) they crafted unreasonable obduracy and logics to justify themselves; 4) they tried to outmaneuver their counterparts by any means; and 5) they consistently orchestrated their voice and actions to their objectives.
Explanatory variables for these behaviors are as follows: 1) the stereotypical Communist "negotiation view" that negotiation is a different form of struggle, forcing one to win by any means; 2) concrete negotiation objectives; 3) negotiation structure at the state level that includes the power relations between the two sides, degree of recognition of the other side as a counterpart, etc.; 4) at the personal level, trustworthiness, negotiation experience, and capability of the individuals; and 5) various strategies and tactics determined with all these factors in consideration.
After the end of the Cold War, it is said that even the North has been changed, but not in General Officer Talks as compared to past Military Armistice Committee meetings. Nevertheless, this study systematically analyzes the relationship between negotiation behaviors and explanatory variables. It also seeks to figure out the dominant variable or the combinations of variables that bring about changes in North Korea's behaviors. The findings are as follows. 1) Basically, the negotiation objective of the military is redistribution negotiation, and competition strategy is mainly utilized. 2) In the event that North Korea is really in need, it conducted true negotiations and normalization negotiations with problem-solving strategy. 3) When the North carries on true and balanced negotiation, it is probable that we would see considerable changes in its negotiation behavior. 4) Overall, negotiation view is the most important variable that bring about any change in North Korea's behaviors. ans the choice of true or pseudo negotiation is pre-determined. 5) The choice of balanced or non-balanced and normal or abnormal relationships can be changed at any time. 6) North Korea continues negotiations only if the negotiations meet its needs or bring profit to it, otherwise it stops the negotiations. The North also returns to negotiations if needed.
The General Officer Talks were defined to convene if any side wished to convene. However, this has changed, as the North uses the talks only when it feels the need to use them. This is anticipated to continue for the time being. Unless some of the five variables change, we are likely to see Pyongyang repeat the same negotiation behaviors. Taking these facts into consideration, this study recommends the following. First of all, decision-makers and delegations should study North Korea's negotiation behaviors thoroughly. Second, one must figure out the negotiation view and objectives of the North Korean military. Third, delegations should prepare themselves to be able to judge unreasonable obduracy, logics, and appeasing tactics of the North.