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{{short description|Theoretical basis for South Korea's foreign policy towards North Korea}}
{{Liberalism in South Korea|Principles}}
The '''Reconciliation and Cooperation Policy Towards the North''' ({{korean|hangul=대북화해협력정책|hanja=對北和解協力政策}}), colloquially referred to as '''Sunshine Policy''' ({{korean|hangul=햇볕정책|hanja=햇볕政策|labels=no}}) is one of the approaches for South Korea's [[Foreign relations of South Korea|foreign policy]] towards North Korea, lasting from 1998 to 2008 and again from 2017 to 2020.

== Background ==
The policy emerged largely in the context of the growing economic gap between the two Koreas: the South was strengthening itself and experiencing [[Miracle on the Han River|economic prosperity]] that had begun under President [[Park Chung Hee]] in the 1970s while the North was experiencing severe economic decline, consequently caused the [[1990s North Korean famine]] and faced bankruptcy. The Sunshine Policy aimed at mitigating this gap in [[economic power]] and restoring lost communication between the two states.

Furthermore, the background to South Korea's decision to engage North Korea through cooperation rather than maintaining a conservative stance in the past shows a historical shift in the South Korea's domestic politics as well. According to Son Key-young, a South Korean author, the Sunshine Policy emerged ultimately as evidence of the evolving South Korean national identity since the [[Cold War]]. The end of the Cold War "ushered in an era of unprecedented confusion in South Korea over whether to define North Korea as friend or foe".<ref>{{cite book |last=Son |first=Key-Young |title=South Korean Engagement Policies and North Korea: Identities, Norms and the Sunshine Policy |date=2006 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=New York |pages=4, 256}}</ref>

The Sunshine Act was created and launched by President [[Kim Dae-jung]] in 1998. This policy resulted in greater political contact between the two States and some historic moments in Inter-Korean relations; the three [[Inter-Korean summits|Korean summit]] meetings in [[Pyongyang]] (June 2000, October 2007, and September 2018) and two meetings in [[Panmunjom]] (April 2018 and May 2018), as well as several high-profile business ventures, and brief meetings of family members<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-26263952/korean-families-reunited-after-60-years |title=Korean families reunited after 60 years |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=2017-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34627189 |title=Second Korean family reunion in North |date=2015-10-24 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=2017-05-20 |language=en-GB}}</ref> separated by the [[Korean War]]. In 2000, Kim Dae-jung, the then-President of South Korea, was awarded the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] for his implementation of the Sunshine Policy.<ref>{{cite web
	| url = https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2000/dae-jung/facts/
	| title = Kim Dae-jung - Facts
	| website = The Nobel Prize
	| access-date = 2024-04-21
	| quote = South Korea's President Kim Dae-jung was awarded the Peace Prize for his 'sunshine policy' towards North Korea. By means of warmth and friendliness he sought to lay the foundations for a peaceful reunification of the two Korean states, which had been in a state of war since 1950.
}}</ref>

Following the election of [[Moon Jae-in]] in 2017, South Korea began reconciling with North Korea once more, thus beginning a revival of the Sunshine Policy. Moon Jae-in's effort to improve the inter-Korean relationship resulted in three inter-Korean summits in a year, including two summits held in Panmunjom (April and May 2018) that marked the first inter-Korean summits to be held outside of Pyongyang, and one in Pyongyang (September 2018). In recognition of Moon's endeavor in inter-Korean relationship as the first president to hold multiple summits in a year, his version of Sunshine Policy became known as "Moonshine Policy".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Bryan |last2=Song |first2=Jung-a  |date=2018-05-18 |title=Summit's cancellation damages Korean 'Moonshine' diplomacy |url=https://www.ft.com/content/43aa1c9e-5fc2-11e8-9334-2218e7146b04 |work=Financial Times |location= |access-date=2024-04-21}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The policy is also known as '''The Operational Policy Towards the North''' ({{korean|hangul=대북운영정책|labels=no}}) and '''The Embracing Policy''' ({{korean|hangul=포용정책|labels=no}}).<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite journal |last1=Kim |first1=Hyun-Key |date=2012 |title=South Korea's Sunshine Policy, Reciprocity and Nationhood |journal=Perspectives on Global Development and Technology |volume=11 |pages=99–111 |doi=10.1163/156914912X620761 |number=1}}</ref>

The term "Sunshine Policy" originates from a speech given by [[Kim Dae-jung]] after his election, in which he referenced ''[[The North Wind and the Sun]]'', one of [[Aesop]]'s fables.<ref name=":0">{{Citation |last1=Levin |first1=Norman D. |title=The Sunshine Policy: Principles and Main Activities |date=2002 |work=Sunshine in Korea |pages=23–32 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7249/mr1555capp.9 |access-date=2024-02-25 |series=The South Korean Debate over Policies Toward North Korea |edition=1 |publisher=RAND Corporation |isbn=978-0-8330-3321-5 |last2=Han |first2=Yong-Sup|jstor=10.7249/mr1555capp.9 }}</ref>

In the tale, the north wind and the sun debate which one is stronger. They challenge each other to see who can get a passing traveler to remove his cloak. The wind tries with all its might to bluster and blow the cloak away, but the wind's chill makes the traveler cling to his cloak even more. The sun, however, has a different effect: its blistering rays cause the traveler to sweat and, unable to continue walking in the sweltering heat, he decides to take off his cloak.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Library of Congress Aesop Fables |url=https://read.gov/aesop/143.html |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=read.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wind and Sun: Fables of type 298 |url=https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/type0298.html |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=sites.pitt.edu}}</ref>  Therefore, the meaning can be interpreted as persuasion triumphing over force.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Chang-sup |date=2010-06-10 |title=Wisdom of Aesop's Fables |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/02/298_67433.html |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=[[The Korea Times]] |language=en}}</ref>

In the framework of this fable, South Korea needs to be warm towards the North in order for the latter to feel secure enough to 'remove its cloak' (make peace and disarm) instead of using the harsh wind (brute force and military aggression) which would only make the North cling to its 'cloak' (nationalism and isolation). Hence, the Sunshine Policy is based upon the notion that kindness and mutual co-operation are more effective than demands and aggression.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Noland |first=Marcus |date=13 March 2013 |title=Sunshine and Appeasement |url=https://www.piie.com/blogs/north-korea-witness-transformation/sunshine-and-appeasement |access-date=25 February 2024 |website=Peterson Institute for International Economics}}</ref>

==Overview==
The main aim of the policy was to soften North Korea's attitudes towards the South by encouraging interaction and economic assistance.

The national security policy had three basic principles:
*No military provocation from the North will be accepted;
*The South will not attempt to [[Annexation|annex]] or occupy the North in any way;
*The South will actively seek peace and mutual partnership with the North.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Paik |first=Haksoon |date=2002 |title=Assessment of the Sunshine Policy: A Korean Perspective |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/42704372 |journal=Asian Perspective |volume=26 |issue=3 |pages=13–35 |jstor=42704372 |issn=0258-9184}}</ref>

These principles were meant to convey the message that the South does not wish to absorb the North or to undermine its government; its goal was peaceful coexistence rather than [[regime change]]. [[Kim Dae-jung]]'s administration was well aware of the prevalent fear spread within North Korea, afraid of its own identity as a state being taken away through coerced integration or any interaction with the international community.<ref name=":0" />

In line with these principles, Kim ordered that the term "[[Political union|reunification]]" be removed from the vocabulary used to describe relations with their northern neighbour as this promoted the idea that the South sought to absorb or destroy the North.<ref name=":2">{{Citation |last1=Levin |first1=Norman D. |title=The Sunshine Policy: Principles and Main Activities |date=2002 |work=Sunshine in Korea: The South Korean Debate over Policies Toward North Korea |pages=23–32 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7249/mr1555capp.9 |access-date=2024-03-10 |series= |edition=1 |publisher=RAND Corporation |isbn=978-0-8330-3321-5 |last2=Han |first2=Yong-Sup|jstor=10.7249/mr1555capp.9 }}</ref> Instead, they favoured terms such as "inter-Korean relations" or "policy towards North Korea".<ref name=":1" />

Kim's administration also outlined two other core policies. The first was the separation of politics and economics.<ref name=":2" />  This hoped to facilitate inter-Korean trade despite any political challenges, boosting the North's economy and, in turn, inducing change in the North's economic policy.<ref name=":2" />

The second component was reciprocity. Initially, it was intended that the two states would treat each other as equals, each making concessions and compromises, with the philosophy that "give and take" was required from both parties. Perhaps most criticism of the policy stemmed from the significant backpedaling by the South on this principle in the face of unexpected rigidity from the North. It ran into trouble just two months into the Sunshine era, when South Korea requested the creation of a reunion center for divided families in exchange for fertilizer assistance; North Korea denounced this as ''[[horse trading]]'' and cut off talks. A year later, the South announced its goal would be "flexible reciprocity" based on [[Confucianism|Confucian]] values; as the "elder brother" of the relationship, the South would provide aid without expecting an immediate reciprocation and without requesting a specific form of reciprocity. The South also announced that it would provide humanitarian assistance without any expectations of concessions in return.<ref name=":2" />

The logic of the policy was based on the belief that, even in light of its continuing shortages and economic duress, the North's government will not collapse, disintegrate, or reform itself, even if the South were to apply strong pressure. It was believed that military tensions can be lessened through bilateral and multilateral frameworks. This emphasized the normalization of political and economic relations between both the [[United States]] and North Korea as well as [[Japan]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

Sunshine Policy is often compared to the Western German Chancellor [[Willy Brandt]]'s ''[[Ostpolitik]]'' (Eastern Policy) which is a foreign policy of change through détente in the hopes of improving relations with East Germany, the Soviet Union, Poland and other Soviet Bloc countries in the early 1970s.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

==Kim Dae-jung Administration: 1998–2003==
[[File:June 15th Joint Declaration 6.15 공동선언.jpg|thumb|June 15th Joint Declaration 6.15]]
The Sunshine Policy was first formulated and implemented under [[Kim Dae-jung]]'s government. North-South cooperative business developments began, including a railroad and the [[Mount Kumgang Tourist Region]], where several thousand South Korean citizens still traveled until 2008, when there was a shooting incident and the trips were cancelled.<ref>{{Cite news|last=WELT|url=https://www.welt.de/english-news/article2316267/NKorea-to-expel-SKoreans-from-tourist-resort.html|title=Growing Tension: NKorea to expel SKoreans from tourist resort|date=2008-08-03|work=DIE WELT|access-date=2020-04-16}}</ref> Though negotiations for them were difficult, three reunions between divided families were held.

The year 2000 marked a significant milestone in relations between the two states when Kim Dae-jung and [[Kim Jong Il]] came together for the [[2000 inter-Korean summit]], the first-time leaders of each Korea had met since the end of the Civil War.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Moon |first=Chung-in |date=2001 |title=The Kim Dae Jung Government's Peace Policy Toward North Korea |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/42704317 |journal=Asian Perspective |volume=25 |issue=2 |pages=177–198 |jstor=42704317 |issn=0258-9184}}</ref> The conference was held between 13 and 15 June. By the end of the meeting, the [[June 15th North–South Joint Declaration]] was adopted between the two Koreas. In the declaration, the two Koreas reached an agreement on five points, to settle the problem of independent reunification, to promote peaceful reunification, to solve humanitarian problems such as the issue of separated families, to encourage cooperation and exchange in their economy, and to have a dialogue between the North and South. After the summit, however, talks between the two states stalled. Criticism of the policy intensified and Unification Minister [[Lim Dong-won]] lost a no-confidence vote on September 3, 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/east/09/03/n.skorea.talks/|title=CNN 2001: North and South Korea talks|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060324115446/http://edition.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/east/09/03/n.skorea.talks/|archive-date=2006-03-24}}</ref> Returning from his meeting in Washington with newly elected President Bush, Kim Dae-jung described his meeting as embarrassing while privately cursing President Bush and his hardliner approach. This meeting negated any chance of a North Korean visit to South Korea. With the Bush administration labeling North Korea as being part of the "axis of evil", North Korea renounced the non-proliferation treaty, kicked out UN inspectors, and restarted its nuclear program.<ref name=Cumings>{{cite book|last=Cumings|first=Bruce|title=Korea's Place in the Sun: a Modern History|publisher=Norton|year=2005|isbn=9780393327021|pages=502–04}}.</ref> In 2002 a [[Battle of Yeongpyeong (2002)|short naval skirmish]] over disputed fishing territory killed six South Korean naval soldiers, further chilling relations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/east/06/29/korea.warships/|title=CNN - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos|work=CNN|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.people.com.cn/200207/05/eng20020705_99192.shtml|title=Roundup: DPRK-S.Korea Clash Challenges 'Sunshine Policy'|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref>

==Roh Moo-hyun administration: 2003–2008==
[[File:Roh Moo-hyun presidential portrait.jpg|thumb|253x253px|President Roh Moo-hyun]]
President [[Roh Moo-hyun]] continued the policy of his predecessor, and relations on the divided peninsula warmed somewhat from 2002. In 2003, the issue of the North's possession of [[North Korea and weapons of mass destruction|nuclear weapons]] surfaced again, with both North Korea and the United States accusing each other of breaching the [[Agreed Framework]].

Nevertheless, Roh stayed committed to the policy and his government continued to supply the North with humanitarian aid. The two governments continued cooperation on the projects begun under Kim Dae-jung and also started the [[Kaesong Industrial Region|Kaesong Industrial Park]], with South Korea spending the equivalent of just over $324&nbsp;million on aid to the North in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200512/28/200512281805371639900090309031.html |title=Aid to North rises with little to show in return |access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref>

There appeared to be a pro-unification Korean trend in public attitudes during the Roh administration, though there are significant differences between generations, political groups, and regions.<ref>[http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=19067&archive=true Estripes.com article] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050324002948/http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=19067&archive=true |date=2005-03-24 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.koreafocus.or.kr/commentaries.asp?vol=42&no=1182&section=2 |title=±¹Á¦±³·ùÀç´Ü ¿À·ù ÆäÀÌÁö |access-date=29 April 2016 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175335/http://www.koreafocus.or.kr/commentaries.asp?vol=42&no=1182&section=2 |url-status=dead}}</ref> But the ruling [[Uri Party]], which strongly supported it, suffered electoral defeats and in 2008 the party lost its majority in the government. The new government took a harsher stance toward North Korea.

Both the North and South Korean Governments agreed to hold a summit in Pyongyang on August 20, 2007, but this was later postponed to <ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/230038.html |title=Rescheduled summit focus shifts to solidifying six-party agreement |access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref> October 2 to 4 due in part to an internal crisis within North Korea. Unlike his predecessor Kim Dae-jung who travelled to Pyongyang by plane,<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080228044505/http://www.buzzle.com/articles/154639.html Korean Leaders Meet for Pyongyang Summit]}}</ref> Roh travelled from [[Seoul]] to [[Pyongyang]] overland by car on October 2. Roh made a stopover at [[Panmunjom]] and crossed the [[Military Demarcation Line]] by foot, stating that his gesture would symbolize the future reunification of Korea.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=10444&size=A |title=South Korean president to cross northern border with North on foot |last=AsiaNews.it |website=www.asianews.it}}</ref>

==Criticism==
North Korean [[North Korean defectors|defector]] and journalist [[Kang Chol-hwan]], who spent nine years in a [[Human rights in North Korea#Internment camps for political prisoners|North Korean prison]], claims that Kim Dae-jung was mistaken in offering assistance to the North without any conditions of improving human rights in return. Kang disagrees with claims that the Sunshine Policy has led to a settlement of peace between North and South and questions the concept of no-strings-attached humanitarian aid, saying "it is important to understand that North Koreans are starving not because of a lack of aid from South Korea or the U.S., but because they are deprived of freedom. Giving aid only throws a line to the government, and prolongs starvation, surely a perverse outcome."<ref>{{cite web|last=Kang|first=Chol-Hwan|title=Give Us an 'Eclipse Policy'|url=http://courses.wcupa.edu/rbove/eco343/050Compecon/Korea/050713NoKim.txt|publisher=Dow Jones & Company, Inc.|access-date=13 February 2012|archive-date=4 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204045011/http://courses.wcupa.edu/rbove/eco343/050Compecon/Korea/050713NoKim.txt|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Furthermore, the policy built upon "flexible [[Reciprocity (international relations)|reciprocity]]" is often criticized to be an inappropriate ideal, bound to have realistic obstacles in Inter-Korea relations. Rather than viewing North Korea as a full equal to its power, South Korea took the stance that the stronger counterpart should wait patiently until the other has gained enough power, allowing North Korea to reciprocate with time. It is theorized that the 'time-differential' in the interaction between the two nations did not aid in the restoration of trust and cooperation but led to further problems in missing transparency and the delay in fully understanding the implications of the policy, which did not benefit the mass as much as expected.<ref name=":0" />

Some critics of the Sunshine Policy contend that rather than increasing the chances of reunification or undermining the regime in North Korea, it has been used instead for political gain in domestic politics in the South. They point to what they say are the continuing provocations and criminal activities committed by the North, such as the [[Battle of Yeongpyeong (2002)|2002 sea battle]] that left several South Korean sailors dead,
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0206/29/smn.11.html|title=CNN.com - Transcripts|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref> the [[superdollar|counterfeiting of American money]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washtimes.com/world/20051201-103509-5867r.htm|title=N. Korea charged in counterfeiting of U.S. currency|work=The Washington Times|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref> and what they call the North's general unwillingness to reciprocate Seoul's gestures of goodwill, as evidence that the North is interested only in receiving money and aid to prop up the communist regime. Critics also believe that, in exchange for providing humanitarian aid, the South should demand that the North return detained South Korean citizens and the remains of POWs from the [[Korean War]].<ref name="h">{{Cite web |url=http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200510/kt2005101917570810510.htm |title=Hankooki Times article - October 2005 |access-date=2005-12-22 |archive-date=2012-06-29 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629172156/http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200510/kt2005101917570810510.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Some{{Who|date=June 2013}} see the Kaesong Industrial Park as merely a way for large South Korean companies to employ cheaper labor.

Many South Korean conservative-leaning observers see the weakening of the US-South Korea alliance as being due in large part to the Sunshine Policy; they say it has led the South to favor the North's interests over those of its ally, the United States,<ref name="h" /> and that it leads South Korean politicians to unreasonably mute or censor criticism of the North and even to ignore the sacrifices of its own soldiers so as to avoid upsetting the North.<ref name="josun">{{cite web|url=http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200504/200504250039.html|title=The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea|access-date=29 April 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223160009/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200504/200504250039.html|archive-date=23 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1036890.stm|title=BBC News - ASIA-PACIFIC - Spy agency 'sacks N Korea defector'|date=23 November 2000|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=5926|title=Games are Fun.com article|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060118145559/http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=5926|archive-date=2006-01-18}}</ref> They say that this is harmful to the South's national interest in being allied with the [[United States]],<ref>[http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/opinion/200407/kt2004071515255354100.htm July 2004 article from Hankooki Times]</ref> and actually damages the chances for a smooth and peaceful reunification. Internationally and at home, the South Korean government has been criticized for repeatedly abstaining from United Nations votes condemning the North's human rights record.<ref name="josun" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2005/11/18/200511180046.asp|title=The Korea Herald|author=The Korea Herald|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref><ref>[http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200511/kt2005111817241910440.htm Hankooki Times, November 2005 article]</ref> The government defends the abstentions by citing the special character of inter-Korean relations.

Conspiracies have been alleged about South Korea's motivations for this policy. One North Korean defector who worked on weapons systems claimed that South Korean intelligence wanted to suppress his story, because it would shed a bad light on the policy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110003585|title=Opinion|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref> According to ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', several U.S. senators believe his story.

The effectiveness of the Sunshine Policy continues to be debated. Even its opponents agreed that the humanitarian emergency aid provided by the international community and South Korea contributed to the relief of [[1990s North Korean famine|North Korea's great famine]] during the late 1990s. However, the ensuing cooperation policies in fact produced a backlash to goodwill argument stating that the government guided economic assistance and also direct investment instead saved or even brought back the hyper militarized North Korean regime, which because of these delays the inevitable economic reforms consequently stalled the nuclear crisis. This debate now had entered a very decisive combination. The latest supposedly alleged hydrogen bomb test seemed to very much falsify the effectiveness and also the ability to produce the desired result of positive inducement policies based on the Sunshine Policy. The idea was that South Korean economics assistance could succeed in persuading North Korea's post-communist reform and opening, which would hopefully promote peace between North Korea and South Korea. Even with all this effort and good intentions that were put into the Sunshine Policy, the policy itself began to fall apart and would soon be no more. The South Korean government officially acknowledged the reverse effects of both the current and existing inducement approaches. In an address to the National Assembly, president Park Geun Hye declared "Gone are the days when we caved into the North's provocations and unconditionally pumped aid into the North". This critical reappraisal led to the complete shutdown of the Kaeseong Industrial Complex, the last remaining symbol of the Sunshine Policy. The building was closed on February 11, 2016.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kim|first1=Jin-Ha|title=Rethinking the Sunshine Promise: Structural Impediments to South Korea's Positive Inducement Policies for the North Korean Problem|date=2016|pages=429–444}}</ref>

However, it can be suggested that the Sunshine Policy had some positive effect on North Korea's military and nuclear stance. Kim Suk-young mentions that North Korean government is "both strong and weak" and it is affected by "external and internal pressures" and its decisions to militarize and nuclearize or not are made due to the relationship with other countries. The author of ''Inside the Red Box: North Korea's Post-Totalitarian Politics'', Patrick McEachern agrees that North Korea's government policy is not determined by outside influence, noting North Korea has never and likely will never change its behavior to become peaceful due to outside pressure. The view that the Sunshine Policy de-escalated tensions may be supported by the comparative paucity of North Korean missile and nuclear tests while the policy was in place. North Korea engaged in nuclear tests five times and missile tests eight times in the eight years since the policy ended in 2008; by comparison, only one nuclear test and three missile tests were conducted before 2008. However, this increase may be indicative of the North gaining the technological capabilities to conduct extensive nuclear and missile tests circa 2008. (Refer to [[List of nuclear weapons tests of North Korea]], [[List of North Korean missile tests]], [[Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3]], [[Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1]].)

==End of the Sunshine Policy: 2008–2017==
On October 9, 2006, before the [[2006 North Korean nuclear test|nuclear]] and [[2006 North Korean missile test|missile]] tests, South Korea suspended aid shipments to the North and put their military on high alert status. There was much concern regarding how South Korea can maintain a cooperative policy towards the North when such provocative acts occurred.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1057609|title=It's sunset for Seoul's Sunshine Policy|date=9 October 2006|work=dna|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref> Nonetheless, the government of South Korea insisted that at least some aspects of the Sunshine Policy, including the [[Mount Kumgang Tourist Region|Kumgangsan Tourist Region]] and the [[Kaesong Industrial Region]] would continue.

From March 2008, however, the new president of the South, [[Lee Myung-bak]] and his [[Conservatism in South Korea|conservative]] [[Liberty Korea Party|Grand National Party]] took a different stance to North Korea, and the South Korean government stated that any expansion of the economic cooperation at the [[Kaesong Industrial Region]] would only happen if the North resolved the [[North Korea and weapons of mass destruction#Nuclear weapons|international standoff over its nuclear weapon]]s. Relations have again chilled, with North Korea making military moves such as a series of short-range ship-to-ship missile tests.<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23837556 NBC News article: U.S. says N.K. missile tests "not constructive", March 28, 2008]. Retrieved March 28, 2008.</ref>

After the [[2009 North Korean nuclear test]], the relationship between Seoul and Pyongyang was again strained. According to Jungmin Kang writing in the ''[[Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists]]'': "Because of the post-1998 'Sunshine Policy', many South Korean nongovernmental organizations and the public weren't concerned about North Korea's threats, believing that Pyongyang would never use nuclear weapons against them."<ref>Jungmin Kang [http://www.thebulletin.org/web-edition/features/the-north-korean-nuclear-test-seoul-goes-the-defensive, The North Korean nuclear test: Seoul goes on the defensive] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527084742/http://www.thebulletin.org/web-edition/features/the-north-korean-nuclear-test-seoul-goes-the-defensive, |date=2013-05-27 }}, [http://thebulletin.org The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists], 12 June 2009</ref> South Korea's response to the nuclear test, although dampened by the recent death of its former President [[Roh Moo-hyun]], included signing the [[Proliferation Security Initiative]] to prevent the shipment of nuclear materials to North Korea.<ref>Kiho Yi [http://www.thebulletin.org/web-edition/features/the-north-korean-nuclear-test-the-south-korean-reaction The North Korean nuclear test: The South Korean reaction] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719170616/http://www.thebulletin.org/web-edition/features/the-north-korean-nuclear-test-the-south-korean-reaction |date=2009-07-19 }}, [http://thebulletin.org The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists], 5 June 2009</ref>

In November 2010, the [[Ministry of Unification|South Korean Unification Ministry]] officially declared the Sunshine Policy a failure, thus bringing the policy to a formal end.<ref>[https://www.voanews.com/a/south-korea-formally-declares-end-to-sunshine-policy--108904544/130750.html South Korea Formally Declares End to Sunshine Policy], [https://www.voanews.com Voice of America], 18 November 2010</ref><ref>[http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/83844/20101119/korea-sunshine.htm South Korea dumps Sunshine Policy with North, opts to go solo], [http://www.ibtimes.com International Business Times], 19 November 2010</ref>

==Return to the Sunshine Policy: 2017–2020==
[[File:Kim Jong-un meeting with South Korean envoys at the Workers' Party of Korea main building.jpg|thumb|[[Kim Jong-un]] meeting with South Korean envoys at the [[Workers' Party of Korea]] main building, 6 March 2018]]{{See also|2018–19 Korean peace process}}
[[Moon Jae-in]] was elected President of South Korea in [[2017 South Korean presidential election|2017]], promising to return South Korea to the Sunshine Policy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/south-koreas-likely-next-president-warns-the-us-not-to-meddle-in-its-democracy/2017/05/02/2295255e-29c1-11e7-9081-f5405f56d3e4_story.html|title=South Korea's likely next president warns the U.S. not to meddle in its democracy|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=2017-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502160241/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/south-koreas-likely-next-president-warns-the-us-not-to-meddle-in-its-democracy/2017/05/02/2295255e-29c1-11e7-9081-f5405f56d3e4_story.html|archive-date=2017-05-02|url-status=live}}</ref> 2018 and 2019 saw a rapid acceleration in talks between the two countries, seeking inter-Korean dialogue, denuclearization and demilitarization, and eventual unification of the peninsula.
[[File:2018 inter-Korean summit square.jpg|thumb|Kim and Moon shake hands in greeting at the demarcation line.]]

On 27 April 2018, the [[April 2018 inter-Korean summit|first]] of three summits took place between Moon and Kim in the South Korean side of the [[Joint Security Area]] inside of the [[Peace House]]. The summit ended with both countries pledging to work towards complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.<ref name="Choe">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/27/world/asia/north-korea-south-kim-jong-un.html |title=North and South Korea Set Bold Goals: A Final Peace and No Nuclear Arms |first=Sang-Hun |last=Choe |date=2018-04-27 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=2018-04-27 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427094734/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/27/world/asia/north-korea-south-kim-jong-un.html |archive-date=2018-04-27 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-southkorea/korean-leaders-aim-for-end-of-war-complete-denuclearisation-after-historic-summit-idUSKBN1HX2I6 |title=Korean leaders aim for end of war, 'complete denuclearisation'... |last=Kim |first=Christine |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=2018-04-27 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427095857/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-southkorea/korean-leaders-aim-for-end-of-war-complete-denuclearisation-after-historic-summit-idUSKBN1HX2I6 |archive-date=2018-04-27 |url-status=live}}</ref> They also vowed to declare an official end to the Korean War within a year.<ref name="Choe"/> The [[Panmunjom Declaration]] was signed by leaders of both countries, which laid out the goals of inter-Korean dialogue and peace negotiations. Both countries called for the end of longstanding military activities in the region of the Korean border and an eventual reunification of the peninsula.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/04/27/the-panmmunjom-declaration-full-text-of-agreement-between-north-korea-and-south-korea/ |title=The full text of North and South Korea's agreement, annotated |first=Adam |last=Taylor |date=27 April 2018 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=4 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612232536/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/04/27/the-panmmunjom-declaration-full-text-of-agreement-between-north-korea-and-south-korea/ |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Additionally, the leaders agreed to work together to connect and modernize their railway systems.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.globalrailnews.com/2018/04/27/north-korea-and-south-korea-make-pledge-to-connect-border-railways/ |title=North Korea and South Korea make pledge to connect border railways - Global Rail News |date=27 April 2018 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608212812/https://www.globalrailnews.com/2018/04/27/north-korea-and-south-korea-make-pledge-to-connect-border-railways/ |archive-date=8 June 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Moon and Kim met a [[May 2018 inter-Korean summit|second time]] on 26 May, this time on the North Korean side of the Joint Security Area in the [[Unification Pavilion]]. This meeting was unannounced to the media prior, but focused on discussions around Kim's upcoming [[2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit|summit]] with United States [[President of the United States|President]] [[Donald Trump]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/south-korean-president-met-north-korea-s-kim-jong-un-saturday-10280606 |title=North and South Korean leaders meet to discuss Kim-Trump summit |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |date=2018-05-26 |access-date=2018-06-12 |archive-date=2021-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214233402/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/north-and-south-korean-leaders-meet-to-discuss-kim-trump-summit-10280606 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The summit also resulted on an agreement to reopen a [[Inter-Korean Liaison Office|jointly operated liaison office]] in [[Kaesong]] that the South had shut down in February 2016 after a North Korean nuclear test.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/01/rival-koreas-agree-to-military-red-cross-talks-for-peace.html |title=Rival Koreas agree to military, Red Cross talks for peace |publisher=CNBC |date=1 June 2018 |access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> The office was operational from September 2018 to June 2020 and held many inter-Korean talks, until the building was demolished by North Korea amid rising tensions.<ref name="NK News">{{cite news|author1=Jeongmin Kim|author2=Oliver Hotham|date=16 June 2020|title=North Korea demolishes inter-Korean liaison office at Kaesong|publisher=[[NK News]]|url=https://www.nknews.org/2020/06/explosions-heard-near-inter-korean-liaison-office-in-kaesong-local-press/|access-date=17 June 2020}}</ref>

From 18 to 21 September, delegations from both countries met in [[Pyongyang]], North Korea for the [[September 2018 inter-Korean summit|third and final summit]] between Moon and Kim. The summit resulted in agreement in a number of areas, including the removal of land mines and guard posts along areas of the Joint Security Area. North Korea agreed to dismantle their nuclear complex in the presence of international experts if the U.S. takes correlative action, although this never occurred.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pyeongyang Press Corps|title=Pyongyang Joint Declaration of September 2018|url=http://www.korea.net/Government/Current-Affairs/National-Affairs/view?subId=680&affairId=750&pageIndex=1&articleId=3397|access-date=2 October 2018|website=koreasummit.kr}}</ref> Moon became the first South Korean leader to give a public address in North Korea.

South Korea announced that it would not conduct annual military exercises with the US in September 2018, and would also stop its own drills in the Yellow Sea, in order to not provoke North Korea and to continue a peaceful dialog.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/393752-us-military-indefinitely-suspends-two-training-exercises-with-south-korea/ |title=US military indefinitely suspends two training exercises with South Korea |newspaper=The Hill |date=22 June 2018 |access-date=2018-06-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628044341/http://thehill.com/policy/defense/393752-us-military-indefinitely-suspends-two-training-exercises-with-south-korea |archive-date=2018-06-28 |url-status=live |last1=Bowden |first1=John }}</ref> On 1 July 2018 South and North Korea resumed ship-to-ship radio communication, which could prevent accidental clashes between South and North Korean military vessels around the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West (Yellow) Sea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/851559.html|title = South and North Korea resume ship-to-ship radio communications after 10 years}}</ref> On 17 July 2018, South and North Korea fully restored their military communication line on the western part of the peninsula.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2018/07/17/0200000000AEN20180717003451315.html |title=Yonhap News Agency |access-date=2018-07-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717054746/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2018/07/17/0200000000AEN20180717003451315.html |archive-date=2018-07-17 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Cultural exchanges were also an important aspect of normalizing relations. In preparation for the [[2018 Winter Olympics]], held in South Korea, North Korean leader [[Kim Jong Un]] proposed sending a delegation of athletes and officials.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/31/asia/kim-jong-un-new-year-address-nuclear/index.html |title=Kim Jong Un offers rare olive branch to South Korea |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101031707/http://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/31/asia/kim-jong-un-new-year-address-nuclear/index.html |archive-date=2018-01-01 |work=[[CNN]] |first1=Alanne |last1=Orjoux |first2=Steve |last2=George |date=January 2, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=January 2, 2018}}</ref> In the [[2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony|opening ceremonies]], North and South Korea marched together under the [[Korean Unification Flag]]. At the games the two countries fielded a united women's ice hockey team.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Gregory |first1=Sean |author2=Gangneug |date=10 February 2018 |title='Cheer Up!' North Korean Cheerleaders Rally Unified Women's Hockey Team During 8–0 Loss |url=https://time.com/5142964/korea-hockey-olympics-winter-2018/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409023358/http://time.com/5142964/korea-hockey-olympics-winter-2018/ |archive-date=9 April 2018 |access-date=27 April 2018 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Apart from their athletic delegation, North Korea sent an unprecedented high-level political delegation. This delegation was headed by [[Kim Yo Jong]], sister of Kim Jong Un, and President [[Kim Yong-nam]], and included musical performers like the [[Samjiyon Band|Samjiyon Orchestra]].<ref name="Delegation">{{cite news |last=Ji |first=Dagyum |date=12 February 2018 |title=Delegation visit shows N. Korea can take "drastic" steps to improve relations: MOU |work=[[NK News]] |url=https://www.nknews.org/2018/02/delegation-visit-shows-n-korea-can-take-drastic-steps-to-improve-relations-mo |url-status=live |access-date=27 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328102708/https://www.nknews.org/2018/02/delegation-visit-shows-n-korea-can-take-drastic-steps-to-improve-relations-mo/ |archive-date=28 March 2018 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The arrival of Kim Yo Jong to the games marked the first time since the Korean War that a member of the [[Kim family (North Korea)|Kim ruling dynasty]] entered South Korean territory.<ref name="tele">{{cite news |title=Winter Olympics 2018 opening ceremony review: Pyeongchang unites the world in a blizzard of emotion and effects |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2018/02/09/winter-olympics-2018-opening-ceremony-review-pyeongchang-unites/ |access-date=11 February 2018 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=9 February 2018 |last1=Hogan |first1=Michael}}</ref> The delegation extended President Moon an invitation to visit North Korea.<ref name="Delegation" /> On 1 April 2018, South Korean [[K-pop]] stars performed a concert in Pyongyang entitled "[[Spring Is Coming|Spring is Coming]]", which was attended by Kim Jong Un and his wife.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kim|first1=Christine|last2=Yang|first2=Heekyong|date=2 April 2018|title=North Korea's Kim Jong Un, wife, watch South Korean K-pop stars perform in Pyongyang|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-southkorea-perfor/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-wife-watch-south-korean-k-pop-stars-perform-in-pyongyang-idUSKCN1H81A5|url-status=live|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427202650/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-southkorea-perfor/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-wife-watch-south-korean-k-pop-stars-perform-in-pyongyang-idUSKCN1H81A5|archive-date=27 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In May 2018, North Korea adjusted its time zone to match the South's<ref>{{Cite news |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=2018-05-05 |title=Time for change: North Korea moves clocks forward to keep up with South |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/05/time-for-change-north-korea-moves-clocks-forward-to-match-south |access-date=2022-04-01 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref> while the South began removing propaganda loudspeakers from the border area in line with the Panmunjom Declaration.<ref>{{cite web |title=South Korea begins dismantling propaganda speakers |publisher=CNN Video |date=May 2018 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2018/05/01/south-north-korea-dmz-propaganda-loudspeakers-lon-orig-ejk.cnn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516174613/https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2018/05/01/south-north-korea-dmz-propaganda-loudspeakers-lon-orig-ejk.cnn |access-date=2018-05-16 |archive-date=2018-05-16 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In recognition of President Moon Jae-in's attempts to restart engagement with North Korea and cooperate with Washington, Moon's return to the Sunshine Policy is sometimes referred to as "Moonshine Policy".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Breen |first1=Michael |title=South Korea Enters the Moonshine Era |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/south-korea-enters-the-moonshine-era-1494350553 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=9 May 2017 |access-date=2 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Zhou |first1=Rene |title=South Korea: Here Comes the 'Moonshine' Policy |url=https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/south-korea-here-comes-the-moonshine-policy/ |access-date=2 October 2018 |agency=Situation Reports |publisher=Geopolitical Monitor |issue=2017–07–05}}</ref> While Moon is commended for his attempts at seeking peace for the peninsula, increased military hostility from South Korea and the United States has soured inter-Korean relations since 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-08-10 |title=North Korea leaves hotline with South unanswered during military drills |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58162289 |access-date=2021-11-27}}</ref> Denuclearization of North Korea has also made little progress since 2019, while weapons testing has increased.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-10-12 |title=North Korea: Kim Jong-un vows to build 'invincible military' |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58880207 |access-date=2021-11-27}}</ref>

However, by 2020, negotiations almost completely stalled without progress on denuclearization,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sanger |first1=David E. |last2=Choe |first2=Sang-Hun |date=June 12, 2020 |title=Two Years After Trump-Kim Meeting, Little to Show for Personal Diplomacy |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/12/world/asia/korea-nuclear-trump-kim.html |access-date=October 5, 2021}}</ref> with both Trump and Kim focusing on domestic issues.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kasulis |first=Kelly |date=20 February 2020 |title=Diplomacy stalled a year after Trump-Kim Summit collapse |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/2/27/diplomacy-stalled-a-year-after-trump-kim-summit-collapse |access-date=19 May 2023}}</ref> The North Korean foreign ministry criticized the Trump administration that year for "empty promise[s]",<ref>{{cite news |last=Suliman |first=Adela |date=June 12, 2020 |title=North Korea's Kim backs away from Trump relationship two years after historic handshake |work=[[NBC News]] |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/north-korea-s-kim-backs-away-trump-relationship-two-years-n1230371 |url-status=live |access-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619033822/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/north-korea-s-kim-backs-away-trump-relationship-two-years-n1230371 |archive-date=June 19, 2020}}</ref> and further took action by demolishing the four-story joint-liaison office building it shared with South Korea on June 17.<ref name="USA-Today-demolition-joint-office">{{cite news |last=Cannon |first=Jay |date=June 17, 2020 |title=North Korea releases photos showing explosion of liaison office jointly run with South Korea |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2020/06/17/photos-north-korea-blows-up-liaison-office-south-korea/3204861001/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620194723/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2020/06/17/photos-north-korea-blows-up-liaison-office-south-korea/3204861001/ |archive-date=June 20, 2020}}</ref>

== Support groups ==
=== Political parties ===
* [[Democratic Party (South Korea, 2015)|Democratic Party of Korea]]{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
* "[[Participation Party|Participation faction]]" ({{Korean|hangul=참여계|labels=no}}) of the [[Justice Party (South Korea)|Justice Party]]{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
* [[Gihuminsaeng Party|Minsaeng Party]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.minsaengdang.kr/kr/news/press.php?bbs_data=aWR4PTIzMTg1JnN0YXJ0UGFnZT0mbGlzdE5vPSZ0YWJsZT0mY29kZT1uZXdzX3ByZXNzJnNlYXJjaF9pdGVtPSZzZWFyY2hfb3JkZXI9%7C%7C&bgu=view |script-title=ko:다당제 민주주의와 햇볕 통일정책 추진은 김대중 정신을 계승 발전하는 일 |work=민생당 |date=8 August 2023 |access-date=5 May 2023}}</ref>
* [[People's Democracy Party (South Korea)|People's Democracy Party]]{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
* [[Progressive Party (South Korea, 2017)|Progressive Party]]{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

=== Other ===
* [[Hyundai Asan]]{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
* [[Korean Confederation of Trade Unions]]{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
** [[Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union]]{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
* [[Minbyun]]{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

==See also==
*[[Korean reunification]]
*[[North Korea–South Korea relations]]
*[[Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization]]
*[[Nordpolitik]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*Kang, David C, "They Think They're Normal: Enduring Questions and New Research on North Korea," International Security, Vol. 36, No. 3, Winter 2011/12, pp.&nbsp;142–171.
*Oberdorfer, Don. ''The Two Koreas : A Contemporary History.'' Addison-Wesley, 1997, 472 pages, {{ISBN|0-201-40927-5}}
*Levin, Norman D. "Shape of Korea's Future: South Korean attitudes toward unification and long-term security issues." RAND, 1999, 48 pages, {{ISBN|0-8330-2759-X}}

==External links==
*[https://fas.org/news/skorea/1999/reunification22.html Sunshine Policy in a Nutshell] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617081621/http://fas.org/news/skorea/1999/reunification22.html |date=2016-06-17 }}, a publication of the [[Federation of American Scientists]].
*[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jun/10/northkorea Sunshine Policy warms old rivals], [[The Guardian]], 10 June 2000
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070614134446/http://www.stanford.edu/group/sjeaa/journal1/korea1.pdf The Bush Administration and the Korean Peninsula: Interview with Dr. Suh Sang-mook], [[Stanford Journal of East Asian Affairs]], Spring 2001, Volume&nbsp;1.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060211191631/http://www.asiasociety.org/publications/update_korea.html Terrorism Eclipses The Sunshine Policy: Inter-Korean Relations and the United States], Asia Society, March 2002
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050113004403/http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/article/0,13673,501030210-418629,00.html The Cost of Sunshine], [[Time (magazine)|Time]], 3 February 2003
*[https://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/MR1555.0/MR1555.0.chap3.pdf Excerpt from Rand Corporation monograph]
*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/11/AR2005051100527.html Despite U.S. Attempts, N. Korea Anything but Isolated], [[Washington Post]], 12 May 2005
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050516235828/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/GE13Dg01.html No sunshine yet over North Korea], [[Asia Times]], 13 May 2005
*[https://www.voanews.com/a/south-korea-formally-declares-end-to-sunshine-policy--108904544/130750.html South Korea Formally Declares End to Sunshine Policy], [[Voice of America]], 18 November 2010

{{North Korea–South Korea relations}}
{{Foreign relations of South Korea}}
{{Foreign relations of North Korea}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:North Korea–South Korea relations]]
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[[Category:Kim Dae-jung]]
[[Category:Liberalism in South Korea]]
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