This book presents a fresh historical and theoretical exploration of the much-debated, but still elusive, question of the Korean divide, shedding light on the slow, but steady process of homogenization between the two estranged peoples, as accelerated after the end of the Cold War and especially after the inauguration of President Kim Dae-jung in 1998.

Introduction; Part 1 Theorizing comprehensive engagement; Chapter 1 The concepts of containment and engagement; Chapter 2 Does comprehensive engagement exist in international politics?; Chapter 3 The conceptual framework of comprehensive engagement; Part 2 Operationalizing comprehensive engagement; Chapter 4 Hyundai projects and the inter-Korean summit; Chapter 5 North Korea's nuclear ambitions;