Abstract
This paper analyzes how U.S. foreign policy, based on symmetry or asymmetry, drives international relations, and can lead to positive or negative state-to-state relations. The paper uses the case of U.S. foreign policy towards North Korea to discuss the importance of position and power when dealing with societies and nations. The paper discloses that U.S. foreign policy approach towards North Korea has not significantly evolved over the past 60 years regardless of administration and that the current paradigm of dealing with complex state-to-state issues only works to sustain negative relations. The paper further finds that the continued negative relations and deep-rooted and protracted conflict between the United States and North Korea is intimately connected to the way in which the United States handles state-to-state relationships. On the basis of these observations, the paper recommends alternative multi-dimensional foreign policy approaches based on conflict analysis and resolution methods and tools needed to successfully transform the relationship and build sustainable peace with North Korea and in the East Asia Region.