Publication

The demise of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il on December 17, 2011 has introduced a new dimension to the security situation in Northeast Asia. Though the fragility of peace is a cause of concern, it does not warrant any rash intervention by the international community, particularly the Big Four nations - the US, China, Japan and Russia. The transfer of power to Kim Jong-un, appears to be smooth, but there are elements of uncertainty lurking behind this power transition. The author argues that the future of East Asian security will largely be shaped by developments that unfold in the Korean peninsula.