ATTEMPTING KOREAN REUNIFICATION: THE PROGRESS OF REPUBLIC OF KOREA'S EFFORTS TO REUNITE KOREA UNDER PARK GEUN HYE’S A NEW ERA OF HOPE AND HAPPINESS VISION (2014-2017)

Abstract

The latest event which occured at Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games showed the world that the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea could unite and marched together under one same flag. The hope for the two Koreas to reunite rose again through the possibilities. Korean reunification would be possible depending on the efforts made. Park Geun Hye was the former President of Republic of Korea, she has made various efforts to achieve Korean reunification. As the first female President of Republic of Korea, Park Geun Hye was expected to create significant efforts to achieve One Korea. Park Geun Hye was determined to achieve Korean reunification and made the reunification as her priority during her administration. Under her ‘A New Era of Hope and Happiness Vision’, Park Geun Hye implemented her programs to achieve Korean reunification. By using qualitative approach, a series of significant theories (smart power, realism, rational choice theory, game theory and foreign policy) would be applied to gain the exact perspective in understanding the issue.