This is the first year result for a three year research project: In Search of Strategy for Korean unification in the 21 century. This year’s research purpose is to identify driving forces and constituent factors for policy conditions and challenges from now to 2030, especially related with the prospect for Korean unification. For this purpose, five subjects are chosen for analysis: North East Asian international relations, North Korea’s internal and diplomatic conditions, population trends, expansion of electronic communication, and climate change and natural disasters. In the second year, several scenarios will be construed and, in the third year, policy recommendations will be made.

1. Situation in Northeast Asia A. Structural Background B. Major Trend until 2030 2. North Korea’s Internal and External Relations A. North Korea’s External Policy/Policy on South Korea and Inter-Korean Relations B. Internal Politics and Power Reshuffle C. Economic Policy 3. Population Trend 4. Expansion of Electronic Communications 5. Climate Change and Venerability to Natural Disasters