Michigan State University Model United Nations - Korean Peninsula Peace Conference: 2021 - MSUMUN
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Michigan State University
Model United Nations
Session XVIII
April 20-22
Korean
Peninsula Peace
Conference:
2021
Background Guide
Chair: Gregory Poole
Assistant Chairs: Alexander Dawish,
Mawsoof Ali
Michigan State University Model United Nations | Session XVIII
Delegates,
Welcome to the Korean Peninsula Peace Conference of 2021. I am overjoyed to be your chair this year,
as we delve into a hypothetical postwar solution to the issues of the Korean peninsula. Should the peninsula be
reunified, or are the cultural and logistical obstacles too great to overcome? How should the refugee and
humanitarian crisis – one of the largest the world has seen – be handled by countries and NGOs? And who has
the right or responsibility to charge the Kim family for their crimes against humanity and the world?
I am a sophomore in Lyman Briggs College studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, with a
minor in Computer Science. However, I have always had a passion for international issues and the complexities
of the Korean crisis, which led me to create this hypothetical scenario. This is my 6th year of Model UN, with 4
in high school and participation last year in both MSUMUN (in the UNEP committee) and the International
Relations Organization, which is MSU’s MUN team. Besides my studies, working in a lab, and Model UN, I
enjoy Kendo (a sword-based martial arts), knitting, Netflix, reading, drawing, and playing the cello.
I am also excited to introduce my two Assistant Chairs, Alexander Dawisha and Mawsoof Ali:
Alexander is a freshman, majoring in Media and Information with a focus on Games in Interactive
Media Design. His interests beyond school are video games, reading, writing, watching TV, taking long walks
with his dog, and history, especially the world wars. This is his third year doing Model UN, after two in high
school.
Mawsoof is studying Psychology as part of the College of Social Science. This is his second year as a
part of MSUMUN.
If you have any questions regarding the topics, the committee, or MSUMUN in general, please don’t
hesitate to email me. I look forward to meeting you all in April!
Sincerely,
Gregory Poole
Chair, Korean Peninsula Peace Conference
specialized5@msumun.org
Premise and Timeline of the War:
Political rhetoric and heated exchanges continue between the US and DPRK through the end of 2017 and
into 2018, cooling off in the summer of 2018 to more reasonable levels, similar to those seen under the Obama
administration or previous administrations. However, the DPRK continues its nuclear program unabated, which
continues to be a source of tension between the two countries, as well as between the DPRK and many regional
powers, including Japan and China. In November 2020, incumbent Donald J. Trump wins reelection in the United
States by a narrow margin, maintaining his place in the White House. A surface nuclear test in February 2021 by
the DPRK in the Pacific once again heats up relations between the two countries. On March 15th, 2021, the DPRK
conducts a successful nuclear missile test, demonstrating its newfound capability of mounting a nuclear warhead
on top of its intercontinental ballistic missiles. This puts the US military base at Guam, as well as several cities
on the western coast of the United States, within range of North Korean nuclear armament, only heating the
already boiling relations between the US and the DPRK beyond what is stable.
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Michigan State University Model United Nations | Session XVIII
TIMELINE:
nd
March 22 , 2021: US begins ground invasion of North Korea, with heavy aerial bombardments of border
positions; amphibious landings at Wonsan achieve the element of surprise and are successful though tenuous.
Night of 22nd: KPA begins “Three Days of Fire”, a continuous shelling of key metropolitan areas within range of
heavy artillery, including Incheon and Seoul; also included are border locations such as Paju. Seoul, being the
main focus of the barrage, is hit heavily with casualties estimated into the hundreds of thousands.
March 23rd, 2021: South Korean forces begin coordinated maneuvers with the United States along the border,
with two main offensives: Along the eastern coast to link up with the invasion force at Wonsan, and along the
western coast to push up the main highway to Pyongyang. Resistance is heavy in the west, leading to intense
battles.
March 23rd, 2021: Emergency meeting called between China, Japan, Russia, the United States, and South Korea,
at the same time as an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
March 24th, 2021: PLA forces begin massing on DPRK border to counter and control increasing numbers of
refugees beginning to cross illegally.
March 24th, 2021: UNSC urges immediate de-escalation of situation in Korean Peninsula, though no statement
is issued concerning American forces in the DPRK. NGOs begin efforts to reinforce operations in the region,
particularly in civilian areas of South Korea.
March 25th, 2021: End of “Three Days of Fire”, as final KPA artillery battery in range of Seoul falls silent. Link
up between SK/US coalition and US Wonsan invasion force occurs at Tongchan, providing stable foothold north
of border. Fall of Pyonggang, Chorwan, and Ichon-up in central region, while a stalemate has held up the western
forces’ advance.
March 26th, 2021: Battle of Kaesong devastates KPA, forcing retreat; many forces are captured or MIA in ensuing
route. Coalition forces push forward to Kumchon against light resistance.
March 26th, 2021: Following linkup, eastern Coalition forces begin fighting westward, towards Sangsong;
resistance, though bolstered, is light to moderate.
Night of March 26th, 2021: PLA fighter-bombers launch surprise bombardment of KPA forces around
Chunggang and Sinuiju.
March 27th, 2021: Beijing announces that it has joined the Coalition forces operating in the DPRK; PLA ground
forces, with heavy air support, begin operations in Chunggang and Sinuiju, where they meet with little resistance.
Both offensives begin moving southward along the peninsula.
March 27th, 2021: Fighting in the mountains around Sangsong delay the eastern Coalition forces, which engage
in counter-insurgency style tactics against the guerrilla warfare employed by the KPA; a heavy armoured column
pushes through the fighting to continue moving towards Yangdok.
March 27th, 2021: Coalition forces in the west push towards Sariwon, cutting off the few remaining KPA forces
around Chaeryong and Changyon. This puts US/SK forces about 40 miles south of Pyongyang.
March 28th, 2021: PLA forces launch surprise invasion at Hyesan, pushing east towards the coast. Encountering
little resistance, they make good ground.
March 28th, 2021: US/PLA coordinated aerial bombardment of Anju, near the mouth of the Taeryong River.
Both forces have naval/marine forces operating in the Yellow Sea.
March 29th, 2021: One week after opening of hostilities. PLA forces complete push west from Hyesan at
Kimchaek, separating KPA forces around Paekam and Chongjin from the rest of the peninsula.
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March 29th, 2021: Coalition amphibious landings at Anju, consisting of both US and PLA marine forces.
Resistance is heavy, as Anju represents one of two remaining DPRK ports around Pyongyang.
March 29th, 2021: Battle of Hwangju; this location would provide Coalition forces with a strategically vital
airbase only 15 miles from Pyongyang. Resistance is heavy.
March 29th, 2021: End of stalemate around Songsang in the east; Coalition forces continue westward movements.
KPA morale plummets.
March 30th, 2021: Beachhead at Anju secured by US/PLA forces; they are separated to the north by fewer than
10 miles from PLA forces approaching from Sinuiju.
March 30th, 2021: Hwangju falls to Coalition forces, and operations begin against Songnim.
March 30th, 2021: Reports of popular uprising in Paekam/Chongjin region, as KPA forces in the area begin to
surrender to PLA forces.
March 30th, 2021: Coalition forces pushing westward reach Changrim.
March 30th, 2021: Attempted counterattack by KPA forces from Kumya towards Wonsan is successfully
defended by Coalition forces in the area, supported by carrier-borne fighters.
Night of March 31st, 2021: Alleged issuing of nuclear order by Kim Jung Un, though apparently talked down
temporarily by key senior aides.
April 1st, 2021: Military coup in DPRK, headed by Pak Yong-sik, minister of the People’s Armed Forces (KPA);
Kim Jung Un and sister Kim Yo-jong captured by KPA forces.
Night of April 1st, 2021: Pak Yong-sik issues unilateral cease-fire order to KPA forces; order is matched by
Coalition forces. Guerrilla operations by popular uprising in Chaekam/Chongjin region continue unabated.
April 2nd, 2021: Pak Yong-sik declared interim head of government of DPRK, immediately sues for peace.
April 2nd, 2021: US-led coalition accepts the conditional surrender of the DPRK.
Topic A: Reunification of the Korean Peninsula
INTRODUCTION
The Korean Peninsula is in the midst of an ugly post-bellum period, as war broke out between North Korea
and the United States of America. In the early 2020s, North Korean scientists were able to develop nuclear
warheads that were capable of being fitted on a missile, giving them the range to hit American military bases in
the Pacific. Recognizing the growing threat of North Korea, the United States launched a preemptive on
Pyongyang. This strike started a quick and nasty war, as the United States won easily, but damage from the war
severely damaged the entire Korean peninsula.
Now that the war is over, the sovereignty of North Korea is very much in question. Their former leader,
Kim Jong-Un, has been captured by what is left of the North Korean army. North Korea has been fragmented into
two major factions, one led by the military and one a populist uprising led by the common people. South Korea
took many costly missile strikes from their neighbors to the north, and the country is struggling to recover.
Instability and anarchy are clouding the region, and some support the complete reunification of the Korean
Peninsula as a single, sovereign, independent Korean nation. However, reuniting a region that has been scarred
by decades of sectarianism, injustice, and authoritarianism is much easier said than done. The world is depending
on this committee to guide this critical process.
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HISTORY
Division of the Korean Peninsula
The aftermath of WWII finally saw efforts to establish the internationally-recognized independence of the
Korean peninsula, as Russia, Britain, and the USA collectively agreed at the Cairo Conference that “in due course
Korea shall become free and independent” (New World Encyclopedia, 2014). In September 1947, the US
submitted the dilemma in the Korean Peninsula to the UN to find a solution. The UN mandated democratic
elections in both occupying zones to decide the fate of the region. The US-backed southern region obliged and
held democratic elections. This resulted in the formation of the Republic of Korea, an indigenous, democratic
government headed by President Syngman Rhee. The Soviet-backed northern region ignored the mandate and
thus, a communist dictatorship under the rule of Kim Il-Sung was established in North Korea. However, in
December 1948, the UN passed Resolution 195, which only recognized the Republic of Korea in the south as the
sole ruling government of the Korean peninsula (New World Encyclopedia, 2015).
Rising Tension Between North and South
Syngman Rhee and Kim Il-Sung both competed to reunify the entire peninsula under their own respective
governmental ideologies, and both claimed authority over the entire peninsula. Throughout 1949 and early 1950,
small skirmishes along the border broke out (New World Encyclopedia, 2014).
Syngman Rhee Kim Il-Sung
(Wikipedia (Wikipedia
2017)
Outbreak of the Korean War
However, on June 25th, 1950, North Korean forces (backed by the USSR) barreled over the 38th parallel
and launched a full-scale invasion on South Korea. The South Koreans were caught off guard and simply were
not prepared to compete with the North Korean invasion. President Harry S. Truman promptly mobilized
American forces to quell the attack of the North Korean army and protect democracy in South Korea. Truman
initially wished to keep the American military south of the 38th parallel to avoid escalating the war, but as the war
went on, he allowed American forces to push further and further north to expel Soviet and North Korean forces.
These movements greatly worried the Chinese, who did not want a strong, unified capitalist state. As such,
Chairman Mao entered the Chinese into the war initially in a defensive manner to protect their own interests, and
they had limited support from the USSR. Regular combat continued until about July 1951, at which point the two
sides essentially reached the stalemate. Finally, a cease-fire was established on July 27th, 1953, which was
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Michigan State University Model United Nations | Session XVIII
supplemented by the formation of a demilitarized zone along the 38th parallel (a zone that still exists to this day)
(New World Encyclopedia, 2015).
President Truman Chairman Mao (Moore 2010)
(Miller 2017)
Creation of a Stalinist State in North Korea
In the aftermath of the Korean War, North Korea was actually seen by some to be a stable, successful
state. Kim Il-Sung, albeit through repressive and authoritarian tactics, provided stability after the chaos of the
war. He reorganized North Korean society according to the doctrine of “Juche,” which is a “radically nationalistic
ideology promoting North Korean autonomy” (Liberty in North Korea, 2017). The North Korean government
claimed ownership over all private property in the country. Each and every single object, business, or idea that
the people had legally belonged to the state. Pyongyang was built as a socialist capital, and many monuments
dedicated to Kim Il-Sung were erected. Kim practically created a cult around himself, using propaganda to ensure
the obedience and admiration of his people. The government took control of all forms of media and put restrictions
on international travel. Kim Il-Sung consolidated all political power under his party (the Workers’ Party of Korea)
and harshly repressed and even purged any dissidents.
The entire societal structure of North Korea was also changed to ensure the superiority of the state. The
“songbun” system was implemented, in which all citizens were organized into social classes based on their loyalty
to the regime (Liberty in North Korea, 2017). This classification defined people’s quality of life, as one’s songbun
determined what schools one could attend, what occupations one could have, and even where one could live. This
system rewarded those who complied with the government and guaranteed the weakening of anyone who dared
stand up against it. Anyone with a low songbun was expelled from the city and forced to live in the outskirts or
in the countryside. The regime brutally silenced anyone who dared speak against the government, as free speech
became a crime that could be punished by imprisonment or even death. To beat down the morale and resilience
of the people even further, three generations of one’s family would be forced to live in internment camps if one
was arrested for free speech (Liberty in North Korea, 2017). The government, in its twisted sense of manipulation,
taught that children should turn on their parents and neighbors should turn on each other if any resistance to the
state was expressed or practiced. These nefarious practices masterfully weakened the morale of the people and
raised paranoia and distrust among communities and even within families. This complete psychological beat down
of the people practically guaranteed the superiority of the state, and highlighted the true evil genius of the
autocracy.
The Regime Begins to Crumble
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However, throughout the 1970s, the chokehold of the state on the people weakened. The failure of the
economy weakened the legitimacy of the different autocratic doctrines the state practiced. The USSR, which for
so long was the lifeblood of North Korea, began to fall apart as well. The people were starving, and the mortality
of the government was becoming apparent, and this sense of instability reached its height in 1994 when Kim Il-
Sung passed away. The regime was inherited by Kim Jong-Il, the son of Kim Il-Sung. Recognizing the impending
doom facing the country, Kim Jong-Il implemented military-oriented practices to regain stability, in which
military and social elites were prioritized over normal citizens. However, Kim Jong-Il could never return the
North Korean government to its evil but powerful and stable days of glory. The economy continued to freefall,
and a famine wiped out several hundred thousand people (New World Encyclopedia, 2014). These financial and
humanitarian issues had a tremendous political impact, and in fact contributed to the rise of anti-regime sentiment
among the people. The North Korean citizens of course harbored a profound hatred for the government, but a
greater sense of autonomy came out of their struggle with famine. The government stopped providing food, and
the citizens were able to find desperate ways to feed themselves. People foraged, bartered and traded, sold items
on the black market, fled to China (at which point outside information was able to seep through the cracks and
reach the people), and resorted to crime. The famine was still disastrous, but citizens realized that they could find
ways to survive on their own, even if it was through illegal or immoral ways. A new sense of hope emerged in
the people, as “what was once a highly ordered and controlled society gave way to a disorganized and fluid
society, with new independent paths to wealth and power for those who defied the regime and defied the markets”
(Liberty in North Korea, 2017)
The economy began to recover in the early 2000s. The makeshift markets created by the people became
legitimate economic institutions, as they grew to include more and more goods and services and became the main
source of resources for the North Korean people. Meanwhile, South Korea’s new “Sunshine Policy” was a
monumental step towards the repairing of the relationship between North and South Korea. Under this new
doctrine, South Korea gave unconditional aid to North Korea, and increased economic cooperation between the
two. The Kaesong Industrial Complex, built in 2003 north of the DMZ, also began to allow South Korean
companies to hire tens of thousands of North Korean workers (New World Encyclopedia, 2014). These changes
in policy were huge steps forward for the North Korean people, as they were able to see the actual nature of the
South Korean government. Moreover, the true weakness of the regime was made apparent, as North Korea
desperately needed financial aid from their neighbors to the south. In 2009, the regime made a desperate attempt
to weaken the markets through currency reform that would potentially eliminate all private wealth (Liberty in
North Korea, 2017). This move by the government threw the economy back into shambles, and in turn even
backfired on government projects. It was seen as a defining moment in the people’s distrust of the government,
as it wiped out the first signs of progress and hope that they had achieved in decades. This move also displayed
the weakness and fear of the regime, as they had to recognize the power that the public markets wielded.
The Third Kim Era
Kim Jong-Il passed away in December 2011 and was succeeded by his son, Kim Jong-Un. Kim Jong-Un
was actually largely unknown at the time of his ascension, but he soon implemented a style of rule frighteningly
similar to that of his grandfather. He purged government officials who disagreed with him, and promoted those
who did. The regime cracked down hard on illegal cross-border movement, and placed incredibly strict limitations
on foreign media of any sort. Government propaganda was widely spread to emphasize a divine and noble view
of Kim Jong-Un. North Korea continued to conduct various nuclear tests and make nuclear threats against South
MSUMUN XVIII 7Michigan State University Model United Nations | Session XVIII
Korea and the US (New World Encyclopedia, 2014). Finally, in the late 2020s, nuclear warheads were created
that could fit on missiles. The USA, sensing a growing threat, declared war on North Korea.
Kim Jong-Il (CNN 2017) Kim Jong-Un
(Star 2017)
Turmoil in South Korea
In the aftermath of the Korean War, the government of South Korea, known as the First Republic, was
quite repressive. Syngman Rhee was elected democratically, and he was seen as a champion of US interests, but
in reality, he used harsh force to keep the country united. He unnecessarily declared martial law, crushed student
rebellions, and jailed members of parliament who disagreed with him. He continued to rule until 1960, at which
point he resigned in light of overwhelming student demonstrations, which became known as the April Revolution
(New World Encyclopedia, 2014).
The next administration after the April Revolution was unfortunately also quite repressive, as it continued
Rhee’s tradition of political repression. A military coup deposed this administration (known as the Second
Republic), and Major General Park Chung Hee was placed in power. Park ran the interim military government,
and was elected as president after democratic elections were held, starting a period of rule known as the Third
Republic (New World Encyclopedia, 2014).
The Third Republic saw South Korea return to more stability, as the economy
rebounded from its decline during the Second Republic. Unfortunately, despite some
of the benefits of his rule, Park Chung Hee continued a repressive style of rule. He dissolved
the National Assembly and planned to eliminate popular elections for the office of
president. The Fourth Republic began under Park with the adoption of a new constitution,
which gave Park complete control over parliament. The economy grew rapidly during this
time, but Park jailed hundreds of dissidents and propagated the unjust style of rule that had
been present since the First Republic. In 1979, Park Chung Hee was
assassinated, and South Korea was thrown into political unrest. Students Park Chung-Hee held
large demonstrations against the military’s dictatorial rule, which was met (Wikipedia 2017) by the
implementation of martial law and harsh backlash from the military.
Hundreds of protesters were killed, and riots riddled Seoul. However, all this chaos was not for waste, as public
outrage lead to the first democratic elections in 1987. As a result of these elections, Roh Tae-Woo was elected
President, thereby starting the Sixth Republic (New World Encyclopedia, 2014).
In 1992, Kim Young-Sam won the presidential election, becoming the nation’s first civilian president in
thirty years. The country was able to recover from economic decline and achieved a peaceful transfer of power in
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1997 with the election of Kim Dae-Jung. Jung won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his “Sunshine Policy,”
which were a monumental series of efforts to reconcile with North Korea. These efforts culminated in a summit
talk with then North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il (New World Encyclopedia, 2014).
In 2004, the South Korean National Assembly voted to impeach President Noh
Moo-Hyun on charges of corruption and political patronage. The aftermath of his
impeachment led to the Uri Party becoming the majority party in the House, which was the
first time in more than 40 years that a liberal party held the majority. In 2016, President Park
Geun-Hye’s administration was accused of corruption, bribery, and influence-
peddling. These charges led to large-scale demonstrations, the impeachment of Geun-Hye,
and the subsequent ascension of Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-Ahn to acting president
(New World Encyclopedia, 2014).
Kim Dae-Jung
(Nobel 2000)
CURRENT ISSUES
North Korea is in complete disarray. Missile strikes from the United States completely ravaged the
country, destroying cities and annihilating rural areas. There simply is no infrastructure or technology left to
facilitate the governing of this country, and so the nation is effectively in anarchy. The war also introduced an
overwhelming amount of political instability, as different factions have emerged and are competing for power.
The North Korean military, understanding the fragility of Kim Jong-Un’s rule and attempting to prevent the
collapse of the country, turned against the government and captured the former dictator. Kim Jong-Un is no longer
ruling the nation and is a captive of the military. Kim is still alive, but his well-being has not been confirmed;
decades upon decades of repressive rule has left the people extremely angry, and there is no reason to believe that
he is being treated humanely or will even be allowed to live for much longer. The military is anxious to protect
their power during chaos. They do not want to continue authoritarian rule, but it is also not in their interests to
introduce democracy and capitalism into the region, as that will force them to allow others to share in their
prosperity. Finally, the UKP (Union of Korean People), a populist uprising, has formed in the rural areas as well.
The vast majority of North Koreans are extremely poor and are starving, and they are desperate for freedom after
generations of authoritarian rule. This faction is by far the largest in terms of population, but they do not have the
resources of the other two factions. These groups are fighting for power, tirelessly striving for control in a vacuum
of chaos.
Helpful Case Studies: Some modern examples that could provide some guidance are the examples of East/West
Germany and Vietnam.
Germany was absolutely decimated after WWII. The government ceased to exist, infrastructure was in
shambles, and the people were starving. It was decided that the country would be divided in four zones, with the
USA, France, Great Britain, and the USSR each controlling a zone. The American, French, and British zones
together constituted the Western side of Germany, and the Soviet zone constituted the Eastern side. Berlin was
contained within the Eastern side, but was further divided into four more zones so that each occupying nation had
control over the capital. The Berlin Wall was built to effectively divide the Eastern and Western sides of the
nation. The West strongly supported reunification, but the USSR wanted to continue its stronghold in East
Germany, as East Germany was one of the most prosperous components of the bloc. Major steps towards
unification finally occurred with the reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev. Free elections were finally held in East
MSUMUN XVIII 9Michigan State University Model United Nations | Session XVIII
Germany, and the Two Plus Four Treaty granted total independence to a unified German state (New World
Encyclopedia, 2017).
Conflict in Vietnam is a similar example of conflict between capitalism and communism. After WWII,
Vietnam was split into North and South, with Ho Chi Minh heading a communist state in the North and Ngo Dinh
Diem serving as president of the Republic of South Vietnam (Trueman, 2017). The Vietnam War in the early
1960s saw attempts by the US and its Allies to create a single, unified, capitalist Vietnam. The Vietnam War was
infamously stagnant and inefficient, as countless lives were lost with no real progress being made towards
reunification. The end of the war was signaled in 1975, when Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, fell to North
Vietnamese forces. The whole of Vietnam was consolidated under communist rule and headed by Ho Chi Minh
(Marlantes, 2017).
CURRENT POSITIONS
United States:
As the primary aggressor, the United States has a strong obligation to assist in the nation-building to come.
On top of this, it has extensive experience through Iraq and Afghanistan. However, the current Trump
Administration has never had a keen interest in foreign politics that do not directly relate to the wealth and
prosperity of the United States - the so-called “America First” policy. That said, the United States has long held
an ambition of uniting the peninsula under the rule of South Korea, providing a firm ally in the region with sole
control over the Korean Peninsula.
China:
China long supported the Kim regime in the DPRK, providing economic and humanitarian aid in order to
prop up the neighboring dictatorship. However, they were never comfortable with a nuclear-armed North Korea.
Above all else, Chinese policy revolves around ensuring a unified, Western-aligned Korea does not form on its
border. With this in mind, any reunification of the peninsula must come with conditions ensuring the current
Republic of Korea does not simply annex the territory.
ASEAN:
The main mandate of the Alliance of South East Asian Nations will be to create a stable and effective
government in the region, preferably distanced from Beijing; though many in the region would not consider
themselves allies of the West, the growing regional influence of China has left many concerned. Fundamentally,
however, ASEAN will be pushing for a one-state solution that ensures the greatest stability and chance of peace
in the region.
European Union and UK:
The European Union, though distanced from the conflict itself, is heavily invested in the outcome. A close
ally of both the United States and the Republic of Korea, the EU will likely support a reunification of the
peninsula, preferably under the current administration of South Korea. Furthermore, several members of the EU
have been involved in nation-building in the past, in alliances with the United States.
Russia:
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Russia has long distanced itself from the Kim regime of the DPRK, since back in the days of the Soviet
Union. However, it maintains a keen interest in the region for a number of reasons, not least of which is the border
it shares with North Korea. Akin to its southern neighbor China, Russia would not look favorably upon a Western-
aligned reunified Korea. Optimally, the reunified country would back Moscow or Beijing, but failing that, Russia
may well support a continuation of the status quo.
Republic of Korea:
Though it has long been held as a goal of South Korea to reunify the peninsula, the staggering cost of both
the war and reunification itself has injected an element of hesitancy into the stance of South Korea. Furthermore,
South Korea would not be willing to dissolve its own government in the event of reunification. Therefore, any
solution found must ensure both the continuation of the Republic of Korea, as well as adequate economic support
in the rebuilding of the peninsula.
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A RESOLUTION
● Method of rebuilding (reunification, annexation, etc.)
● General guidelines for the reorganization of the peninsula
○ What group of people will be in power?
○ How will the sovereignty of North Korea be protected?
○ How will the civil rights of North Korean citizens be protected?
○ How will this transfer of power be funded?
● Keep in mind that your job as an international committee is not to write a new constitution for North
Korea; rather, set in motion a basic plan for the rebuilding of the nation
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
● How can the sovereignty and civil rights of the North Korean people be protected?
● What ramifications will a unified Korea have on your nation?
● How will your country contribute to the recovery and rebuilding of Korea?
● How can a peaceful transfer of power be ensured?
● How can the permanence of the new government be ensured?
WORKS CITED
Duggan, Lawrence G., and George Hall Kirby. “The Reunification of Germany.”
Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 25 Sept. 2017,
www.britannica.com/place/Germany/The-reunification-of-Germany.
“German Reunification.” German Reunification , New World Encylopedia, 20 June 2017,
www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/German_reunification.
MSUMUN XVIII 11Michigan State University Model United Nations | Session XVIII
“Harry S. Truman.” Miller Center, University of Virginia, 8 Aug. 2017,
millercenter.org/president/truman.
“History of Korea.” History of Korea, New World Encylopedia, 25 Feb. 2014.
www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/History_of_Korea#Joseon.
“History of North Korea.” History of North Korea , New World Encylopedia, 26 Feb. 2014.
www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/History_of_North_Korea.
“History of North Korea.” North Korea 101, Liberty in North Korea,
www.libertyinnorthkorea.org/learn-north-korea-history/.
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www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/History_of_South_Korea.
“Kim Dae-Jung - Biographical.” Nobelprize.org, Nobel Prize, 2000,
www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2000/dae-jung-bio.html.
“Kim Il-Sung.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Dec. 2017, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Il-sung.
“Kim Jong Il Fast Facts.” CNN, Cable News Network, 14 May 2017,
www.cnn.com/2013/09/26/world/asia/kim-jong-il-fast-facts/index.html.
“Korean War.” Korean War , New World Encylopedia, 14 Sept. 2015
www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Korean_War.
Marlantes, Karl. “Vietnam War.” HistoryNet, 2017, www.historynet.com/vietnam-war.
Moore, Malcolm. “China Sets Standard for Chairman Mao's Favourite Dish.” The Telegraph,
Telegraph Media Group, 29 Jan. 2010, www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/7102740/China-sets-standard-
for-Chairman-Maos-favourite-dish.html.
“Syngman Rhee.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Dec. 2017,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syngman_Rhee.
Trueman, Chris. “The Fall of Saigon.” History Learning Site, History Learning Site, 2017,
www.historylearningsite.co.uk/vietnam-war/the-fall-of-saigon/
“US Navy Gets Ready to Strike North Korea.” Northern Star, Northern Star, 10 Apr. 2017,
www.northernstar.com.au/news/us-sends-navy-korean-waters-against-nuclear-threat/3164929/.
MSUMUN XVIII 12Michigan State University Model United Nations | Session XVIII
Topic B: Issue of How to Prosecute the Kim Family for War
Crimes/Crimes Against Humanity
INTRODUCTION
War has been part of the human culture since the first humanoids walked the earth thousands of years ago.
And even though the wars of today can hardly be considered humane, there are laws in place that are meant to
protect the sanctity of civilian lives during periods of conflict. The first international convention that prohibited
such actions was the Geneva Convention of 1864, and its four subsequent 1949 conventions, as well as the two
additional protocols that were voted into effect in 1977 (UNOGP 2017). Another international convention, known
as The Hague Convention, voted into effect in 1899 and 1907, focuses on “the prohibition to warring parties to
use certain kinds of warfare” (UNOGP 2017). The original Geneva Convention of 1949 has been ratified by each
of the member states of the United Nations, although the Additional Protocols have not yet been fully ratified yet
(UNOGP 2017). The full definition of war crimes is defined in Article 8 of Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court.
“Crimes against humanity” refers to any hostile act committed towards a civilian population during any
period, not just when there is some sort of conflict going on. The term was first used by the allies (Britain, France,
and Russia) in 1915 in their official condemnation of the Ottoman Empire’s massacre of the Armenians (UNOGP
2017). Despite this, the first actual prosecution under the premise of being a “crime against humanity” was not
until 1945 at the International Military Tribunal (IMT), more commonly known as the Nuremberg trials. There
have been several other of these Tribunals: one for the Japanese Empire in 1945, one for the former nation of
Yugoslavia, and one for Rwanda. Although there is no codified treaty in international law against crimes against
humanity, there is an international consensus that the prohibition of crimes against humanity should be considered
a “peremptory norm of international law, from which no derogation is permitted, and which is applicable to all
States” (UNOGP 2017). Article 7 of the ICC’s Rome Statute provides a full definition of the term.
HISTORY
As mentioned above, governments and individuals have only recently begun to be prosecuted for crimes
against humanity and war crimes. The first of these historical prosecutions were the Nuremberg Trials, which
were held from 1945 to 1949 with the express purpose of prosecuting Nazi officials for their crimes against
humanity (History.com 2010). These trials were an important milestone in the history of international justice, as
before the Nuremberg trials there were no other instances of several nations with different laws coming together
to form a single court of law (History.com 2010). The Nuremberg Charter, established on August 8th 1945,
defined three categories of crimes, “crimes against peace (including planning, preparing, starting or waging wars
of aggression or wars in violation of international agreements), war crimes (including violations of customs or
laws of war, including improper treatment of civilians and prisoners of war) and crimes against humanity
(including murder, enslavement or deportation of civilians or persecution on political, religious or racial
grounds)” (History.com 2010). It is also important to note that this charter decreed that civilians could also be
tried for crimes against humanity if it was decided that they played a significant role in the crime itself
(History.com 2010).
MSUMUN XVIII 13Michigan State University Model United Nations | Session XVIII
The Nuremberg Trials were divided into two different trials. The first of the two was the Major War
Criminals Trial, held from 1945-46 (History.com 2010). This trial featured prosecutors and defense attorneys, but
also featured a tribunal, staffed by two judges from each of the four Allied powers (History.com 2010). During
this trial, 24 people and six criminal organizations including the Gestapo—Germany’s secret police force—were
indicted, and only three were found to be not guilty. 12 were sentenced to death and the rest were placed in prison
for sentences ranging from 10 years to life. The second of the two trials, simply known as the Subsequent Trials,
were a series of twelve trials held from 1946-49, in which other individuals, including civilian doctors, lawyers,
and industrialists, were indicted and charged with various crimes against humanity, including experimenting on
prisoners of war, using slave labor, and putting into effect the third Reich's eugenics laws (History.com 2010). In
all, 97 of the 185 individuals who were indicted were found guilty. Of those 97, 12 were executed, 8 received life
in prison, and another 77 received various prison sentences. A number of the prison sentences were later reduced
(History.com 2010). These trials were also different from the Major War Criminals Trial because they were
conducted by a U.S military tribunal and not by an Allied Tribunal. The change occurred because of the growing
differences between the four allied powers (History.com 2010). Both the Major War Criminals Trial and the
Subsequent Trials received backlash from several US Supreme Court Justices, who labeled the trials as “a high-
grade lynching party” (History.com 2010). Despite this backlash, the Nuremberg Trials were considered to be a
great step forward in the world of international justice and led to several other International Tribunals which
prosecuted others for crimes against humanity.
CURRENT ISSUES
The DPRK has surrendered, and the Kim family has been taken into custody. The international community
must now decide how it wants to proceed with prosecuting them for their crimes against humanity. The exact
extent of the crimes committed by Kim Jong Un since he took power in 2011 are unknown, but it is estimated
that he has ordered the execution of around 340 people, most of whom were members of his own government,
the military, and the Korean Worker’s Party (Hickson 2016). Those reports also lists the trumped-up crimes that
have led to executions, including slouching, having a bad attitude during a meeting, and “treachery” (Hickson
2016). In 2011, Kim Jong Un ordered the execution of the army’s vice minister for drinking during a vigil that
was held for Kim Jong Il. The vice minister was executed with a mortar round. The next year Kim Jong Un had
his uncle executed for treason, and in 2015 the army’s defense minister was executed with an anti-aircraft gun in
front of an audience (Hickson 2016).
Along with the various government officials that Kim Jong Un has ordered executed over his five-year
reign, the recluse leader has also been accused of committing several other vicious crimes against his own people.
This list was released in a 2014 United Nations report, and details crimes against six different groups of North
Korean citizens (Taylor 2014). The first and second group of victims are the inmates of North Korea’s infamous
prison camps, modeled after the former Soviet Union’s Gulag system, and of which the government denies the
existence of, but have been described in detail by those who have survived. The prisoners are housed in small
cells which can be likened to slightly larger than normal dog crates, and are frequently beaten and tortured by the
prison guards (Taylor 2014). Those same people also describe what is known as the “guilty by association policy,”
which leads to entire generations of families being rounded up and placed in camps. Many inmates were born
inside the camp and have never before experienced freedom (Taylor 2014). Female inmates in the nation's
“ordinary” prison camps have also recounted harrowing tales of sexual assault, and in one case, of being forced
MSUMUN XVIII 14Michigan State University Model United Nations | Session XVIII
to drown their newborn son (Taylor 2014). Aside from prison inmates, those who practice Christianity are often
arrested and placed in prison camps, those who attempt to flee the nation are either shot by guards or arrested and
brought back if they successfully escape. Kim Jong Il admitted to kidnapping Japanese nationals and placing them
in prison camps, and there is a nation-wide food shortage which has led to the death of around 2.5 million people
(Taylor 2014).
There are several options that can be considered in terms of prosecuting the Kim family for their crimes
against humanity. The first of the options would be the International Criminal Court, whose Rome Statute contains
provisions which forbid crimes against humanity, although it is important to note that the DPRK does not
recognize the Rome Statute and has no laws against crimes against humanity in its domestic policy. Because of
this, it would be difficult to try the Kim family and any other offending officials in a domestic course. Another
possibility would be to try the offenders in a third-party nation using the doctrine of universal jurisdiction (VICE
2016). An important note with this option is that given the current international customs, sitting heads of state
cannot be prosecuted under the universal jurisdiction doctrine, and so Kim Jong Un would be precluded if the
ICC did not take up the case.
CURRENT POSITIONS
United States:
The United States has firmly held the belief that the Kim family is personally responsible for many Crimes
Against Humanity, as well as human rights’ violations. However, the current administration has expressed far
less interest in pursuing such matters for their own sake as past administrations have - that is to say, unless the
United States stands to gain from any arrangement reached, it is possible they may yield to their Asian
counterparts.
China:
The firm support China lent the Kim regime in the leadup to its downfall may well play against Beijing in
this matter. China may find itself in a tight spot, as its support could be viewed as condoning the crimes committed
by the government of North Korea. However, it cannot afford to yield much ground, lest it condone prosecution
of the Kim family for crimes the Chinese government itself could be accused of.
ASEAN:
ASEAN will struggle to come to a unified decision, as several member states or regional nations have
less-than-perfect track records themselves in relation to human rights and war crimes. A split may well appear
between those heavily aligned with the West and those less strongly tied.
European Union and UK:
The European Union, on principle, is a firm supporter of the International Court of Justice. However, this
principle does not always translate perfectly into policy, as several member states have ignored summons or cases
in the past, particularly the more powerful members, such as France and Germany as well as the United Kingdom.
In this case, however, it is likely that principle will push the EU towards the ICJ as a remedy for the situation.
Russia:
MSUMUN XVIII 15Michigan State University Model United Nations | Session XVIII
The Russian Federation, stopping just short of open scorn for the international courts, repeatedly refuses
to participate in cases and routinely ignores court rulings directly relating to itself. As such, a more internally-
based solution would likely suit Russia more than an international one.
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A RESOLUTION
1. What is the best way to try the Kim Family for their crimes against humanity?
2. Should Kim Jong Un and the government officials be tried in separate courts?
3. Who gets jurisdiction over the Kim family now that the war is over?
4. Are there aspects of the International Criminal Court that appeal to your nation? Is it an effective method
for prosecution in this instance?
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
1. What laws, if any, does your nation have regarding crimes against humanity?
2. Has your nation been involved in any previous international efforts to prosecute those who commit crimes
against humanity?
3. Does your nation currently support the International Criminal Court and the Rome Statute?
WORKS CITED
Hickson, Alex. “Kim Jong-Un Has Executed Hundreds for 'Crimes' Including 'Slouching and Drinking'.”
Dailystar.co.uk, Daily Star, 29 Dec. 2016, www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/573854/Kim-jon-il-kim-jong-
un-wife-north-korea-christmas-execution-death-bans-facts-grandmother.
History.com Staff. “Nuremberg Trials.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2010. Web. 18 Nov 2017.
www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/nuremberg-trials.
History.com Staff. “North Korea History.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2017. Web. 18 Nov 2017.
www.history.com/topics/north-korea-history.
n.a. “United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect.”United Nations, United
Nations, n.d. Web. 18 Nov 2017. www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/war-crimes.html.
n.a. “United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect.”United Nations, United
Nations, n.d. Web. 18 Nov 2017. http://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/crimes-against-humanity.html
MSUMUN XVIII 16Michigan State University Model United Nations | Session XVIII Taylor, Adam. “Torture, Kidnapping and Gulags: North Korea’s Alleged Crimes against Humanity.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 20 Nov. 2014. Web. 18 Nov 2017. www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2014/11/20/torture-kidnapping-and-gulags-north-koreas- alleged-crimes-against-humanity/?utm_term=.c21cfca9b397. Reuters, VICE News And. “UN Calls for Kim Jong-Un to Be Prosecuted for Crimes Against Humanity.” VICE News, VICE, 14 Mar. 2016. Web. 18 Nov 2017. news.vice.com/article/un-calls-for-kim-jong-un-to-be- prosecuted-for-crimes-against-humanity. MSUMUN XVIII 17
Michigan State University Model United Nations | Session XVIII
Topic C: Humanitarian Crisis within the DPRK: Famine and
Refugees
Introduction:
Though the Second Korean War lasted less than two weeks, its impact is expected to be far reaching in
many aspects, not least of which is the humanitarian crisis it has produced. The war displaced nearly 12 million
civilians, with somewhere between 3 and 6 million fleeing the country. Furthermore, the population remaining
within the country is, for the most part, without food, medicine, or basic infrastructure.
It is of the utmost importance that these basic humanitarian concerns be dealt with, to prevent the situation
from deteriorating further. Solutions must be found to housing and repatriating refugees in both China and the
Republic of Korea; current living conditions in refugee camps in the two countries are dismal, due to
overcrowding and lack of basic supplies. But beyond the refugee crisis lies a greater issue which must be dealt
with quickly: the famine that has plagued the country for nearly two decades, and the medicinal desert caused by
the strict rule of the Kim regime. Until this is dealt with, refugee numbers will no doubt continue to grow.
History:
Following the division of the Korean Peninsula in 1945, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
(DPRK or ‘North Korea’) was left with substantial amounts of mineral wealth but very limited agricultural land
(FAO 2012). Furthermore, the mainly mountainous terrain of the country severely limits the agricultural
capabilities of the country: less than 22% of the land within the DPRK’s borders is considered arable (CIA 2017).
Due to its politically isolated status for much of the 20th century, much is unknown about North Korea during
this time, and much is assumed. However, the DPRK was known to be receiving both Chinese and Soviet food
subsidies, which were withdrawn in the early 1990s (USIP 2015). This, coupled with the effects of decades of
unsustainable farming practices, caused food availability to decline in the mid- to late-90s.
In 1997, the country was hit by major flooding, followed by a drought. This caused a virtual collapse of
agriculture within the country, and the availability of food likewise plummeted. It is estimated that somewhere
between 2 and 3 million people died of starvation in North Korea between 1994 and 1998, either from
malnourishment or a host of hunger-related illnesses. On top of this, the government began selectively cutting
portions of the public distribution system that existed within the country, prioritizing food for civilians in key
industries as well as those in major cities; many in the primarily rural areas were left to fend for themselves in the
absence of government aid.
Reports surrounding the healthcare system within the country are mixed; a report published by the Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO 2012) states that citizens within the country have equal
access to healthcare, and that even rural areas have access to health clinics. By contrast, a 1997 MSF (Medicins
Sans Frontiers/Doctors Without Borders) report warns that though clinics and doctors are present, they were
without adequate training and supplies and as such are unable to assist patients (MSF 1997). This issue of
conflicting reports is consistent in all areas dealing with North Korea, and relays the difficulties aid agencies have
in attempting to provide care to common people in the DPRK. In another report given by MSF, interviews with
refugees and defectors illustrated the inadequacies of the present aid system, inadequacies corroborated by MSF’s
own experiences during the 1998 famine when its own teams were unable to observe the true extent of the famine,
due to government restrictions. As such, reports given by refugees met at the Chinese border provided a much
bleaker picture than MSF’s own teams did (MSF 2002).
MSUMUN XVIII 18Michigan State University Model United Nations | Session XVIII
The 1998 famine in the DPRK set the stage for a nearly continuous state of near-famine within the country.
According to United Nations reports in 2017, nearly 70% of the total population is considered to be “food
insecure” (roughly 18 million), while 10.5 million are considered “undernourished”. Most of the population is in
need of humanitarian aid, and extreme weather conditions in recent years have severely affected crops, preventing
any sort of recovery from the famine that has persisted.
Harvest in North Korea may once again be affected by droughts that have hit the country (Yuen 2017).
Despite the isolated status of the DPRK internationally, it has historically received relatively consistent
humanitarian aid from a number of sources, including the United States, the European Union, the Soviet Union
(up until its collapse), the Russian Federation, and various NGOs. However, accounts from refugees and defectors
suggest that the majority of this aid does not reach the populations and is kept by the government and the army
(MSF 2002).
Current Issues:
The most prominent and immediate issue caused by the war is the number of displaced persons, which
approaches the number caused by the Syrian Civil War begun in 2011. Though most of these displaced persons
still reside within the borders of the DPRK, the numbers fleeing the country are growing even as the war has
finished. Though both the Chinese and US armies attempt to prevent it, an increasing number of refugees are
arriving every day at the camps established in both China and the Republic of Korea. Current estimates released
by Doctors Without Borders suggest between three and five million have already fled across the northern border
into China, and another one to two million in northern South Korea along the border, living in camps bordering
the former DMZ. Furthermore, the Republic of Korea itself has many internally displaced civilians, particularly
following the so-called “Three Days of Fire” - a three-day period of almost constant bombardment by the North
of Seoul and the surrounding area. This bombardment not only caused a total of nearly 400,000 dead and wounded
civilians, it also forced a mass relocation of nearly 8 million people living in the area. Though the country has so
far managed to handle the situation, it is incapable of supporting both North Korean refugees and its own displaced
population.
MSUMUN XVIII 19Michigan State University Model United Nations | Session XVIII
The camps present in both China and the Republic of Korea are understaffed and overcrowded, lacking in
necessities; they are incapable of handling the increasing number of refugees, supported as they are by foreign
NGOs. They are in desperate need of food, drinking water, medicines, and space. Supplies are hard to obtain as
many ports in the nearby area are currently dedicated to military use to support the three standing armies currently
within the DPRK - the Chinese PLA, the US Marine Corps, and the South Korean army. As such, there is limited
space to allow NGOs to bring in the necessary supplies by boat; the majority is brought by truck from temporary
supply depots established in both countries. This solution is not sustainable, however, as these depots are being
emptied faster than they can be resupplied. The permanence and safety of the camps has also been brought into
question, with concerns being raised both about the shoddy and often dangerous construction of buildings within
the camps, and the fear of these camps settling into permanent existence - a scenario neither South Korea nor
China looks on favorably.
There is also the situation within the DPRK to consider. For the past several decades, it has alternated
between drought periods, leaving the country in a perpetual state of near-famine. The majority of its food came
from foreign aid imports. Of these imports, it is estimated that up to 90% was allocated specifically for the Korean
People’s Army (KPA) (MSF 2002). Given the malnourishment of the population and the lack of food supplies
initially, it is hardly surprising that the devastation wreaked by a modern war has left the country in what the
United Nations has described as “potentially the largest humanitarian crisis of the century”; much of the North
Korean farmland, inadequate to begin with, has been damaged during the war at the height of the planting season.
Potentially, the region is looking at several years of total famine as it tries to recuperate from the war. On top of
this, a range of diseases and parasites, including various parasitic worms, are almost universal among the working
population of the country. Hepatitis B and C, as well as tuberculosis, are much more common than would be
expected in a semi-developed nation (Illmer 2017). What little infrastructure existed prior to hostilities has also
been heavily damaged, with roads and transportation networks disrupted. This severely limits the capability of
NGOs to provide support to the region, as they will find it difficult, if not impossible, to get supplies where they
are needed.
Various NGOs, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Doctors Without
Borders (MSF), have begun efforts to support and assist the refugees, but are quickly finding themselves without
sufficient resources to handle the scope of this issue. Furthermore, access to much of the country itself is heavily
restricted due to many reasons: landmines, the presence of military forces, or inadequate road networks, just to
name a few.
Case Studies:
Though the DPRK itself has never dealt with a large-scale refugee crisis, in large part due to its strict
border policy, this situation has become an increasingly common side-effect of modern wars.
Syrian Civil War, 2012 - present
The Syrian Civil War created one of the largest refugee crises in recent history, with 6.3 million internally
displaced civilians and more than 5 million seeking asylum abroad as refugees (UNHCR 2017). Many of those
who have left the country have sought shelter in neighboring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. Of
the 650,000 in Jordan alone, around 130,000 live in established refugee camps Za’atari and Azraq; these camps
now sprawl, city-like, and risk becoming overcrowded. Meanwhile, it is estimated that as many as 80% of those
in Jordan may live outside of refugee camps, making locating and repatriating them a daunting task (UNHCR
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