The division of Korea by the United States and Russia post-World War II created a lasting conflict that has seen numerous attempts at reconciliation, notably through the Sunshine Policy and trilateral talks among China, Japan, and South Korea. However, a new model is needed to achieve lasting peace, involving informal senior meetings facilitated by Indonesia, escalating to Ministerial and eventually Head of State and Government meetings, ultimately empowering the Koreas to determine their future free from external major power influence.

The Korean Peninsula was poised to become a unified nation following the end of the Japanese occupation in 1945. However, geopolitical tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union led to the division of Korea along the 38th parallel, resulting in the establishment of two separate governments. South Korea, under the aegis of the United States, elected Syngman Rhee as its first president, while North Korea, supported by the Soviet Union, installed Kim Il Sung as its leader. This division set the stage for decades of conflict and tension, culminating in the Korean War and an enduring military standoff.

Since the armistice in 1953, there have been several efforts to reduce tensions and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. One of the most notable initiatives was the Sunshine Policy, spearheaded by South Korean Presidents Kim Dae Jung and Moon Jae-In. This policy aimed at improving relations through economic........

© Eurasia Review