Epilogue

Abstract

This book has sought to outline some of the factors that will shape the process of transitional justice in a unified Korea. The initial impetus that led to the publication of this book was a conference sponsored by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, DC, in 2013. The event titled “Transitional Justice in Post-unification Korea: Peacebuilding and Reconciliation” brought together many experts, including the contributors to this volume, to discuss the future of the Korean Peninsula after unification. The discussions that were initiated at the conference were later developed conceptually by the contributing authors into book chapters. Since unification of North and South Korea has not yet occurred, this project has largely been a very difficult exercise to determine if, what, and how the process of transitional justice on the Korean Peninsula might unfold. The authors have drawn upon real-world experience, comparative case studies, and theoretical knowledge to lay out potential pathways for transitional justice mechanisms to be established and implemented in the future. While there are an overwhelming number of uncertainties, this book has tried to present many different legal, political, social, and economic factors that will likely be at work in a transitional period following unification. While the conference and this book could only offer a brief introduction to many complex issues, it is our hope that these initial discussions will continue and catalyze further debates over the many issues and findings analyzed herein.