Hanyang University Professor Yongsoo Eun Publishes Paper on North Korea-U.S. Hostile Relations

Research Achievement Recognized in the Field of International Politics

Hanyang University announced on September 10 that Professor Yongsoo Eun of the Department of Political Science and International Relations has published a paper titled "Ontological Security and the Dynamics of Anxiety: Toward a Typological Theory of Change" in the summer issue of the academic journal "Cambridge Review of International Affairs (CRIA)," published by the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

Professor Yongsoo Eun, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Hanyang University

This paper explores the reasons behind the ongoing hostile relationship between North Korea and the United States, as well as the potential for change.

Previous studies on North Korea-United States relations have explained the hostility between the two countries primarily through military threats such as North Korea's development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and nuclear weapons, as well as the United States' sanctions against North Korea and North Korea's subsequent resistance.

In this paper, Professor Eun introduces a new theory called "ontological security."

The theory of ontological security posits that a nation's security anxiety does not simply stem from physical threats to its territory, but also arises from emotional crises triggered when national identity is shaken.

Building on this, Professor Eun analyzes that North Korea faces "double insecurity" in its relationship with the United States. North Korea is described as an anxious existential actor that, in order to maintain its identity narratives such as "Juche," "indomitable revolutionary spirit," and "nuclear-armed state," inevitably relies on the United States.

Professor Eun stated, "From the perspective of ontological security, dialogue or substantive improvement in relations between North Korea and the United States is not an easy task." He added, "However, the possibility of improving relations may increase if there is room for North Korea's identity narrative to evolve, and this can begin with a pragmatic approach by the U.S. government."

Professor Eun plans to further strengthen research that analyzes the dynamics of continuity and change in various bilateral relationships and proposes alternative approaches, building on this paper.

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