A third way of improving human rights in the DPRK: Exploring a "dual approach

Abstract

This paper draws upon diverse discussions and activities regarding North Korea's human rights, involving both macroscopic and microscopic methodological frames of analysis and action. Ulti-mately, it seeks to explore an alternative that may contribute to human rights improvements in that nation. After issue raising, sections n and HI will elaborate on the characteristics, significance, and limitations of two particular approaches for doing so; based on this discussion, we will further the understanding of those two approaches and help determine various ways in which North Korean human rights can be improved. Sections IV and V will introduce the concept of the "dual approach" and its effects regarding general improvements in the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). There have been some comparative analyses between the two approaches in terms of level, actor, scope, and stage. Each approach has not only its own logical characteristics and expected effects, but also limitations and problems. Based on the logic of Aufheben -which has both merits and certain deficiencies -the dual approach constitutes a "third way" of improving the human rights situation in the DPRK. As the dual approach makes use of both the macroscopic and microscopic approaches, its dependence on them will persist until it is capable of making its own impact. © 2010 by THE INSTITUTE OF KOREAN STUDIES.