An Analysis Of The Cognitive Differences Between The US And DPRK On The Korean Nuclear Issue

The Korean nuclear issue has always been the focus of the international community.It is both a "stumbling block" of reconciliation between DPRK and ROK,as well as a fulcrum of the strategic games of neighboring great powers,and it is related to the security interests of the Korean Peninsular countries and even Northeast Asian countries.Since its arose in the 1990s,the Korean nuclear issue has become a focus of concern in the international community,and it moves between negotiations of easing the tension and the crisis of confrontation.It is difficult to achieve the goal of denuclearization in the Korean Peninsula.These countries’ complex strategies and interests have increasingly entangled.Recently,the Korean Peninsula is undergoing positive changes,which is related to the increasing nuclear development and missile tests,as well as increased sanctions against DPRK from US and the international community.In the period when the situation of the Korean Peninsula is rapidly changing,if we want to resolve the problem,we cannot help thinking that why the Korean nuclear issue has been dragged to this point?What are the factors that have hinder the substantive settlement of the Korean nuclear issue?How to understand the Korean nuclear issue?On the basis of reviewing and analyzing a large amount of literature,this paper argues that the Korean nuclear issue is a contradiction between the US and DPRK.Therefore,these two countries were selected as the objects to study.Meanwhile,the cognitive differences between US and DPRK are very important factors for the long-standing Korean nuclear issue.Therefore,this paper studies the Korean nuclear issue in perspective of the cognitive differences between the US and DPRK.It can be seen that there are lots of differences between the US and DPRK in their understanding of Korean nuclear issue:the nature of the Korean nuclear issue,the long-term strategic goals,the strategic bottom lines,the perception of DPRK’s nuclear status,the DPRK’s nuclear development history and relations among Northeastern Asian countries.These cognitive differences led to differences in proposals put forward by the two countries,resulting in diplomatic and military conflicts,constantly changing the relationship among neighboring countries,and shaping strategic pattern of Northeast Asia.On this basis,considering why these are so many cognitive differences between US and DPRK?Specifically,it can be explained by the geostrategic overlap,security interest conflicts,ideological differences,hostile history and strength gaps between the two countries.Taking all the possible factors into account,this paper attempt to put forward some suggestions to help solve the Korean nuclear problem through the cognitive theory.Firstly,the two countries needs to learn the transposition thinking,admit the reasonable security concerns of the other side,increase the shared awareness,and expand the mutual negotiation.Secondly,they should respect each other in the negotiation process,abandon ideological bias,reduce cognitive disagreement through gradual reduction of military confrontation and verbal criticism,and link the settlement of Korean nuclear issue with other related issues,such as establishing a peace mechanism to achieve permanent security,which is the key point to substantial settlement of the problem,then they can cultivate mutual political trust.In the end,the US should support DPRK’s integration to the international community to consolidate the outcome of the negotiations and form a new shared awareness.